2019 HALL Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Critic Review
Textbook blue fruits, sappy flowers, spice box, and foresty, herbal notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, a perfectly balanced, layered, seamless mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s deep purple-hued and has perfectly integrated fruit, tannins, and acidity, background oak, and a great finish. It’s another 20– to 25-year wine from this great estate.
96 Points | The Wine Independent, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
"The single-varietal 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with notes of crushed rocks, cast-iron pan, and garrigue over a core of creme de cassis and baked blackberries, plus a hint of wild sage. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with black fruit and earthy layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note."
93 Points | Wine Spectator, James Molesworth
"Well-packed, delivering a mix of black currant and boysenberry fruit with good tension, while violet, melted licorice and blueberry sauce notes fill in on the finish. Has a polished feel, but there's a racy iron note buried here, too, for a nice sense of terroir."
The 2019 Howell Mountain evokes deep aromas of ripe blackberry, sous-bois character, and dark chocolate. The palate is plush and polished with well-knit tannin. Abundant notes of plum, black currant preserves and dried thyme carry through. The wine finishes with power, good tension and intriguing mineral hints of crushed rock and iron.
Ripe Blackberry
Dark Chocolate
Plum
Crushed Rock
Perched 1400 feet above the valley floor, Howell Mountain is well above the fog line. This natural inversion layer assures the vineyards are drenched in sunlight from daybreak to sunset. Cooler spring temperatures cause buds to break later than average, and warm summer nights produce fruit of opulence and density. With rocky, infertile volcanic soils, the water is freely drained and the vines struggle and are low in vigor, producing intense wines from small clusters and berries.
| Bottle Size | 750mL |
|---|---|
| Varietal Composition | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Barrel Aging | 26 Months in 75% New French Oak |
| Appellation | Howell Mountain, Napa Valley |
| Vineyard | Vineyard Partners |
| Vintage Notes | Our 2019 growing began with ample rainfall and lingering soil moisture. A warm, extended summer saw very few extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the stage for vibrant and expressive wines. The long, relatively mild finish to the season helped to preserve freshness and balance in the fruit with hang time that allowed for impressive color, structure and tannin. This is an exceptional vintage defined by well integrated acidity, dense texture, and great depth. |
