2003 Reviews
 
International WineMay/June 2005
2003 Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley
Good ruby-red.  Black raspberry and floral aromas, complicated by coffee and mocha notes.  Supple, fat and sweet, with lovely depth of flavor and texture.  A fairly large-scaled version of this wine: Viader declassified a lot of her 2003 cabernet franc, which she described as “light in body.”  Finishes with ripe, dusty tannins that arrive late.  This has turned out very well.  91 points.
 
2003 VIADER “V”
Good full ruby-red.  Cool, pure, penetrating aromas of blackberry, violet and sexy oak spices.  Juicy and aromatic in the mouth; not particularly expansive but supple and serious.  Finishes with firm tannic structure.  89 points.
 
2003 VIADER Syrah
Good bright red-ruby.  Aromas of blackberry, currant, spice cake and violet.  A juicy, floral mid weight in a polite style, with dark berry, chocolate and black cherry flavors framed by firm tannins.  Shows little of the meaty side of the variety.  I’m not sure I would pick this as syrah, but this is tasty, suave, fresh red wine.  88 points.
 
2003 DARE Cabernet Franc
Good deep red.  Varietally accurate aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice.  Supple and sweet, with modest depth and ripeness but an attractively soft, creamy texture and good balance.  Finishes with supple tannins, good length and a note of menthol.  88 points.
 
 
Wine Spectator

2003 Viader Napa Valley
91 points   3,644 cases made 250        Aromas of dill and cedar turn firm and austere on the palate, where they’re joined by earthy currant, blackberry and mineral nuances.  Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.  Best from 2007 through 2012. –J.L.

 
2003 Viader Vineyards “V” Napa Valley
Deep ruby.  Aromas of black fruits, bitter chocolate, violet and licorice.  Lush, fat and round, with deeply pitched flavors of dark berries and chocolate.  Offers excellent mouth coverage.  Finishes with substantial tannins and lovely length. ($125) 90 points
       
2003 Viader Vineyards Syrah Napa Valley
Good bright ruby.  Black fruits, violet and sweet oak on the nose.  Fat, sweet and savory, with juicy flavors of raspberry, mocha and coffee and a saline quality.  Finishes with a note of dark chocolate.  My early look at the 2004 suggested that this vintage produced a somewhat more intense wine with more syrah pepperiness. ($65) 89 points