"In another year featuring inclement weather at all the wrong times in the mountains as the fruit developed- cold in April for budbreak and windy and cold at flower and fruit set — we experienced a mild and prolonged growing window that lasted through harvest with only a couple of heat spikes. The yields were tiny, but the fruit was exceptional in quality. The small number of berries from our Candlestick Ridge and Winery Estate vineyards welcomed extraction, with the only worry being the massive tannin numbers showing in the lab as the color poured from fermentation. As time went on, the tannins have proven ripe, round, and lovely on the middle palate, providing the scaffolding for size and scope of the fruit in the 2019 vintage. As always, a little Merlot and Malbec help to unlock the Cabernet and provide this astounding wine with even greater dimension. As Antonio Galloni noted in his rave review, it is the tension, drive and nerve of this Cabernet that make it exceptional."
VINEYARDS: Candlestick Ridge Vineyard, Winery Estate Vineyard
APPELLATION: Howell Mountain
COMPOSITION: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 2% Petite Verdot
CASES PRODUCED: 1176
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.
97 points
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another stellar wine from Robert Craig. Bright and incisive, with tons of energy, the Howell Mountain Cabernet delivers the goods, big time. A rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, menthol, spice and crushed rocks build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that dazzles. This deep, vivid Cabernet hits all the right notes. Superb.”
- Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 10/1/21
96 points
“From a 0.44ha vineyard of well-draining alluvial soils. Aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Richly scented with dark fruit, loamy soil, vivid violet and rose petal notes and coffee beans. Decadent mountain blueberry and mulberry fruit, with mineral underpinnings and chocolaty tannins that are firm, long and muscular. Nicely integrated with pops of wild herbs on the finish. A deliciously pleasing wine. Just six barrels produced.”
- Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter, 6/12/22
