Tesseron Estate – Pym-Rae: The Grandeur of a Mountain Cabernet on Mount Veeder

Where Bordeaux precision meets the vertical energy of Mount Veeder

Perched between 500 and 600 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Veeder, Tesseron Estate – Pym-Rae embodies a rare alliance between Californian mountain viticulture and the Bordeaux expertise of the Tesseron family. Acquired in 2016 by the proprietors of Château Pontet-Canet, the estate was born from the former Villa Sorriso of Robin Williams and has preserved the name he gave to his wine: Pym-Rae.

Farmed under organic and biodynamic principles, Tesseron Estate has rapidly become one of Napa Valley’s most ambitious and distinctive mountain wine projects, offering a refined, terroir-driven interpretation of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Terroir – The Vertical Identity of Mount Veeder

The vineyard forms a single contiguous block within the Mount Veeder AVA. Its defining features shape the wine’s singular identity:

• High elevation between 500 and 600 m, bringing freshness and slow ripening;
• Rocky soils combining limestone, sandstone, clay, and well-draining sediments;
• Marked diurnal temperature shifts, preserving acidity and aromatic precision;
• Slow, balanced ripening ensuring natural concentration;
• Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant variety, complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

This mountain terroir yields wines of aromatic density, altitude-driven freshness, and a natural mineral backbone.

Philosophy & Farming Practices

The Tesseron family brings to Mount Veeder the holistic, living-soil philosophy developed at Pontet-Canet, centered on the vitality of the ecosystem:

• Certified organic and biodynamic farming;
• Dry farming adapted to the mountain climate;
• Low yields for concentration and balance;
• 100% manual harvests on steep terrain;
• Meticulous parcel-by-parcel management;
• Multiple sorting stages for flawless precision.

Every choice aims to express the verticality and internal energy of a true mountain Cabernet.

Vinification & Aging – Purity and Precision

The cellar is designed to preserve the fruit’s integrity and highlight the strength of the terroir:

• Gravity-flow vatting to avoid mechanical stress;
• Fermentations in concrete tanks with native yeasts;
• Gentle extractions to refine tannins;
• 16–18 months of aging in French oak barrels (high proportion of new oak) and concrete tanks;
• Precise blending, carried out parcel by parcel.

The resulting wine is sculpted, dense, vibrant, with remarkable aromatic integrity.

Wine Style – Verticality, Freshness & Depth

Pym-Rae stands out for its mountain-born identity:

• Deep aromatics: cassis, wild blackberry, violet, graphite, cocoa;
• Broad, structured palate uplifted by mineral freshness;
• Firm yet polished tannins, impeccably ripe;
• Vertical texture, noble and focused;
• Long, tense and persistent finish, leaving a refined, mouthwatering imprint.

A mountain wine of complexity, harmony, and long-term aging potential, already seen as one of Mount Veeder’s most distinctive Cabernet expressions.

Signature Cuvée

Pym-Rae – Tesseron Estate
The estate’s sole cuvée. A Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend completed with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It offers a remarkable balance of power, precision and altitude-driven freshness. Already considered one of Napa Valley’s leading contemporary mountain reds.

Conclusion – A Biodynamic Mountain Cabernet with a Singular Identity

Tesseron Estate – Pym-Rae represents the fusion of biodynamic mountain viticulture, Bordeaux discipline, and the vertical mineral power of Mount Veeder. A young estate, but already essential for collectors seeking terroir-driven, profound, and energetic Cabernet Sauvignons.