Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

Vineyard:

Made exclusively from grapes grown at Rocky Ridge Vineyard on Las Posadas Road. The southwest facing slope of the vineyard crests at 1650 feet above the valley floor—beyond the reach of cooling fog and afternoon heat spikes. White tufa and red loam soil are studded with rhyolitic rock for excellent drainage. This cool site is the last vineyard we pick each year, usually near the end of October. We source clone 191 and clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from Rocky Ridge.

Winemaking:

The grapes were handpicked, fully destemmed and meticulously sorted before being moved to a single closed-top stainless tank for fermentation. After a four-day cold soak, the tank was inoculated and then pumped over 2-3 times a day for 16 days before being gently pressed at dryness. After 13 months of aging, we selected our favorite 5 barrels from the lot. Those barrels were then blended and returned to barrel for an additional 6 months of age before being bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Tasting Notes:

The medium to full-bodied 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet pours a nearly opaque deep red. Its bouquet explodes with cherry, anise, and classic cedar. The pallet is lush and envelopes the mouth with red berry flavors and round tannins all framed by fresh acidity that ensures that this wine will age gracefully for years to come.

Technical Data:

pH: 3.72                 TA: 5.8 g/L                       Alc: 14.9%