“I love all of our mountain wines and celebrate each one for its unique display of terroir and microclimate. However, if the wines were my children, the one I would save first from the raging waters ahead of the rest is our Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet. Our Howell Mountain flagship is simply a stunning, irrefutable expression of this unique AVA, and what has made it so highly sought after.”
- President/CEO Elton Slone
ALSO AVAILABLE IN
750 &
3-LITER
BLEND: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot
HARVEST DATES: September 16 - October 1, 2016
AVERAGE SUGAR: 24.9° Brix | TA: 6.6g/L | PH: 3.68
BARREL AGING: 18 mo. Chateau-style French oak; 80% new/20% 2nd yr. Unfiltered & unfined.
CASES PRODUCED: 1800
WINERY ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
The nine-acre Winery Estate Vineyard continues to demand constant attention – with huge variation in soils and microclimates. This site always has tiny yields – on average a meager 1.8 tones per acre. 2015 was even scarcer than usual, with early budbreak followed by cooler temperatures leading to a smaller crop.
CANDLESTICK RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Just down the road, Candlestick Ridge is the northernmost vineyard in the Howell Mountain AVA and is slightly warmer than the summit ridge where the Winery Estate vineyard lies. Candlestick is influenced by warm air from Pope Valley to the east and – at its slightly lower elevation – it is protected from the constant wind that hits the ridge line. The big subsurface boulders were removed during the replanting, leaving thin tufa soil on top of a rocky volcanic bedrock.
Black cherry, rich, vibrant, crushed stone, graphite, high toned floral and violet, firm structure, concentrated and classic.
94 POINTS
“…Tightly wound and packed, the 2016 is full of energy. Raspberry jam, iron, dried flowers red flowers, mint and white pepper all help give the 2016 a decidedly high-toned profile, but it is the wine's energy and sense of drive that stand out most.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
12/14/18
93-95 POINTS
“Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is another pure, elegant, classic wine from this estate. Blueberries, tobacco leaf, forest floor and underbrush notes all emerge from medium to full-bodied beauty that has ripe tannin, notable freshness, and again, awesome purity of fruit.”
Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
12/29/17
