2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winery & Candlestick Estate Vineyards

Howell Mountain

93+ POINTS

"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain incorporates 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and has classic mountain aromatics as well as tannins. Blackcurrants, blueberries, scorched earth, bouquet garni, and hints of espresso all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Howell Mountain effort that has building, firm tannins, good acidity, and the balance to evolve nicely. Give bottles 4-5 years and it's going to keep for 15-20 years or more."
— Jeb Dunnuck
jebdunnuck.com, January 31, 2020

Members: log in to access member discounts.

750 ml

“The 2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet will unfold slowly over the coming years while keeping the tension and energy as a framework for the gorgeous fruit that is just beginning to emerge at release time. Like the 2015 vintage, 2017 was defined by tiny berry size on Howell Mountain resulting in plentiful tannin from the high skin-to-juice ratio. The tannins close the wine a touch in the early
stages, but the structure is there for the long haul.”
- President/CEO Elton Slone

BLEND: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot
HARVEST DATES: September 11 - October 16, 2017
AVERAGE SUGAR: 25.3° Brix | TA: 6.2g/L | PH: 3.82
BARREL AGING: 18 mo. Chateau-style French oak; 70% new/20% 2nd yr. Unfiltered & unfined.
CASES PRODUCED: 1320

WINERY ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
The nine-acre Winery Estate Vineyard continues to demand constant attention – with huge variation in soils and microclimates. 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.

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.

Classic Howell Mountain features flow from the glass: crushed rock and warm black stones, graphite, cassis, thorny underbrush, and dark mountain flowers are all present in this iconic wine.

93+ POINTS
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain incorporates 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot and has classic mountain aromatics as well as tannins. Blackcurrants, blueberries, scorched earth, bouquet garni, and hints of espresso all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Howell Mountain effort that has building, firm tannins, good acidity, and the balance to evolve nicely. Give bottles 4-5 years and it's going to keep for 15-20 years or more."
— Jeb Dunnuck
jebdunnuck.com, January 31, 2020

93 POINTS
"A solid 2017, showing a lovely core of blue fruit, raspberries and currants with some bark and dark chocolate. It’s full, yet not overdone with pretty length and focus. Very attractive now, but better in 2022."
— James Suckling
jamessuckling.com, December 12, 2020

Classic Howell Mountain features flow from the glass: crushed rock and warm black stones, graphite, cassis, thorny underbrush, and dark mountain flowers are all present in this iconic wine.

2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

Accolades

2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

Accolades

Cart Summary