2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Howell Mountain

95 POINTS

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mt has an inky purple color that is certainly as saturated as any in the impressive Robert Craig lineup. This is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot with similar elevage as the other wines. Beautifully sweet tannin, whole berry, blackberry and graphite notes are present in this full-bodied, opulent, delicious Howell Mt Cabernet Sauvingon. The color is an opaque purple, the wine expansive, savory and impressive. Drink it over the next 20 years."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 12/30/15

750 ml

2013 was the perfect example of the stark differences between mountain and valley vineyards in Napa. While valley floor yields were up 15-20% overall, Howell Mountain was down 5%*. Why such a difference? The valley saw mild weather during flower and fruit set, while the mountain had cool, very windy conditions. The result was small, loose clusters with tremendous structure, concentration and acid backbone.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES »

BLEND: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot
HARVEST DATES: September 22 - October 15, 2013
AVERAGE SUGAR: 26.1° Brix | TA: 6.0g/L | pH: 3.75 | ALCOHOL: 14.6%
AGING: 18 months in Chateau-style French oak; 80% new & 20%
2nd year. Unfiltered and unfined.
BOTTLED: April 30, 2015
CASES PRODUCED: 936

WINERY ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
APPELLATION: Howell Mountain
ELEVATION: 2300'
ACRES: 8.25
VARIETALS: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Situated at 2,300’ of elevation along the summit of Howell Mountain, our estate vineyard enjoys temperatures in the summertime that are on average more than 10 degrees cooler than on the valley floor below. This temperature difference helps provide a longer, more even ripening time for these high elevation grapes which maintain their acidity and structure without intervention. Planted in 1998 on 110R rootstock which fares well in stony soils, our estate vineyard is showing the vine maturity in the finished wines. The red volcanic and tufa soils give this Cabernet a wild, bramble berry character, coupled with touches of warm stones and spice.

Of all the vineyards we own and manage, the variation in soils and microclimates within this small property make it the most challenging to farm. The yields are on average a meager 1.8 tons to the acre, but the fruit possesses a rare power and expression of site. Soils are especially shallow, even for Howell Mountain, and the vines must work through the rocky soils to seek moisture.

While 2012 was a classic vintage for Howell Cabernet, 2013 raised the bar. Fruit complexity is off the charts, with stunning acid and tannin backbone. This wine, having spent two years in barrel and an additional year in bottle is showing lovely, lush fruit in its youth, with classic Howell bramble-berry fruit character framed by coffee, mineral and deep, dark, mountain violet tones. Patience, however, will prove to be a virtue: this wine will only get better with age. Cellar now for future rewards.

95 POINTS - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 12/30/15
"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mt has an inky purple color that is certainly as saturated as any in the impressive Robert Craig lineup. This is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot with similar elevage as the other wines. Beautifully sweet tannin, whole berry, blackberry and graphite notes are present in this full-bodied, opulent, delicious Howell Mt Cabernet Sauvingon. The color is an opaque purple, the wine expansive, savory and impressive. Drink it over the next 20 years."

94 POINTS - Antonio Galloni, VINOUS, 12/30/15
"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is dark, inky and super-expressive, with tons of Howell Mountain minerality. Graphite, slate, spices and blue/purplish fruit all open up in a deep, wonderfully expressive wine endowed with tons of nuance. Even with all of its size and intensity, the 2013 remains vibrant, polished and exceptionally beautiful."

2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

Accolades

2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

Accolades

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