2019 Howell Mountain Estate Merlot

Candlestick Ridge & Winery Estate Vineyards

Howell Mountain

162 CASES MADE

Our Merlot is perhaps the wine that expresses the nature of Howell Mountain more than any other wine in the Craig portfolio. It is estate grown and estate bottled. Sourced primarily from our Candlestick Ridge Vineyard along the summit of Howell Mountain it also includes Merlot from Block 3 on our Winery Estate Vineyard. We actually use some Cabernet Sauvignon from more elegant lots to soften this wine as it can be a bruiser at the outset.

750 ml

"Our 2019 Howell Mountain Merlot was the "biggest" wine we have ever made at Robert Craig Winery. The lab numbers for complex anthocyanin (color and body) and tannin count were off the chart in 2019. A very limited number of cases exist of what is perhaps the finest offering ever from our winery.

"I’ve been involved in the production of our Howell Mountain wines for eighteen years now, and I can say without hesitation that our 2019 Estate Merlot is truly a stand out."

COMPOSITION: 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec
CASES PRODUCED: 162

CANDLESTICK RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Situated on the north end of the Howell Mountain summit cap at 2,250’ of elevation, this 26-acre vineyard, first planted in 1950, rests on a plateau overlooking the southeast face of Mount St Helena and the whole of Pope Valley. Replanted by Duckhorn Winery in 1998 to primarily Bordeaux varieties on varying rootstocks, the Candlestick Vineyard produces wines that are dense, dark and explosive with flavor. The pure white volcanic ash and Tufa soils are poor and well drained leading to low yields and intensely flavored berries.

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.

Despite its size and gravitas, the 2019 Merlot has a lushness and supple quality that make it a joy to drink even while young, though cellaring will improve the wine for the foreseeable future. Deep cassis, blackberry, iron, lead pencil and Howell Mountain stones exude from the nose and expand on the palate.

COMPOSITION: 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec
CASES PRODUCED: 162

2019 Howell Mountain Estate Merlot

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

2019 Howell Mountain Estate Merlot

About This Wine

Vineyard

Tasting Notes

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