In a bit of a surprise, Vecina—historically among the last of the five crus to be harvested—was the earliest site to complete its annual cycle. Harvest began on August 30th, and the last berries arrived at the winery on September 10th.

Despite the earlier picking, this vintage displays the site’s impassive strength. Ink-dark and redolent of ripe blackberry and a touch of iodine, the imposingly structured wine ascends acutely on the palate and, cresting, descends like a waterfall to pool within cool, profound depths. Gravitas surrenders on the languorous finish to widening, concentric circles of stoic calm.

Located in the foothills of the Mayacamas, which ascend from the valley floor toward the forests, the vines of Vecina enjoy the warmth of the morning sun and—especially in hot or dry years—the cooling shelter of the mountain ridges in the afternoons. The vertical geography of the place is once again manifested in the monumental character of the wine.

A seemingly impenetrable façade of mineral and tannin presents itself at first. Aromas drawn from the woodlands that encircle the site, however, gradually seep from this stoic veneer. The outer armor, glossy with graphite notes, encases a heart of dark, ripe fruit and savory spice—peppercorn and basil—that, as the wine relaxes its grip, beats palpably and generously long before the finish is reached.

Budbreak occurred on April 14th, tying the record previously held by the 2012 vintage. By late summer, however, the ripening process caught up with that of more typical vintages, and an above-average fruit set attested to the optimism of these old vines. Vecina was the first site to begin harvest (on September 18); though picking, which progressed slowly and purposefully, concluded 22 days later, after ten distinct passes.

This broad-shouldered wine, though clearly ripe, has also drawn tenebrous, savory elements from the surrounding woodlands. The structure remains firmly rooted beneath the tongue, while the unctuous texture extends its confident presence to all corners of the palate, probing boundaries of sensation that time and age will continue to delineate.

It was another precocious year for these old vines. From budbreak through bloom, veraison and harvest, each event occurred earlier than is typical. Bloom was healthy, leading to long and well-formed clusters. Unlike the other sites, harvest here stretched over a longer period, as we committed to nine harvest passes, starting in late September and concluding three weeks afterward.

The aromas are vivid and savory, yet the virtue of this Vecina resides in its stoic nature. The electric impulse that pervades the other 2018s, in this wine, manifests itself uniquely, passing like a steel blade through its vertical structure. Though the physique of the wine is muscular, the texture is extremely fine. The finish has a wise austerity that resolves with a persistent resonance.

Almost as if anticipating the events that would transpire, this normally late-ripening site rallied from the onset with an unusually early budbreak. The growing season progressed without significant events. Harvest began on September 9th and concluded on September 27th.

From the beginning of aging, this Vecina has been a beacon, beckoning the other crus to follow. Aromatically the wine is vibrant, displaying its classic dried herbs and dark fruit, but with even greater life and dimension. The vertical nature of the wine does not impose, but impresses and inspires a reverence in the solidarity of this site. The savory 2017 is yet full of vitality and energy; its structural lines are more chiseled and defined than in other vintages.

Each year, this vineyard begins in its own rhythm and ends on a similar note; 2016 is no exception. Early in the ripening, the balance of flavor and quality of tannin were impressive. In September, we received much-needed fog and cool nighttime temperatures, which preserved freshness as ripening continued.

The vertical structure of Vecina does not impose but draws you in with a noble calm. The wine’s nuance is often immured within its monolithic structure, yet this year, nature has rendered the full spectrum of fruit, herbal, and mineral aromas. Whether this generosity represents a rare glimpse of the softer side of this site or the future expression of these old vines, time alone will tell.

Almost by virtue of the vines’ collective wisdom, bloom occurred later than normal allowing Vecina to avoid the reduced fruit-set that affected many sites. The overhead canopy of these tall-statured vines served to protect the clusters during the summer months, and ushered them gracefully to an anticipated harvest.

Roasted coffee, embers, and a mix of red and dark fruit are the forces that drive the aromatics. The wine is intensely vertical, but between the typical layers of fleshy tannins there are equal parts air and juiciness that bring levity and detail. The finish seems almost infinite, as ripe fruit slowly transitions over several minutes to fine salinity.

Vecina has become known—to us—as an old soul. It is never hurried or slow, but it finds its right moment to mature in any given season. Picking began in late September and concluded in early October. At harvest the grapes possessed plenty of acidity and verve, yet showed depth of fruit character and unprecedented charm.

Burnt embers, dried herbs and a perception of salinity define the nose. There is also a great degree of freshness that makes it seem almost delicate, while on the palate the muscular frame of this wine ascends to the roof of the mouth. It builds and builds then slowly resolves over a resilient finish.

From budbreak to veraison the year seemed to move like clockwork at this east-facing slope in Oakville. Due to its location on the southern border of Oakville, Vecina was impacted more prominently by the winds coming from the San Pablo Bay, lending even more power and density to this already bold site.

The 2013 has the ever-present aromas of dried herbs, terra cotta, and forest floor accompanied by a healthy dose of dark cacao. Though lively acidity should not be discounted, the wine feels like a monument resting on the mid-palate with vertical and muscular definition. Layer upon layer of ripe tannins unfold on what feels like an infinite finish.