2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

The appellation owes its distinctive climate to the fact that it is positioned well above the valley floor. Because of its altitude, generally, evening temperatures are warmer and daytime temperatures are much cooler—leveling out spikes in heat that tend to be more exaggerated at lower elevations. Seasonally, cooler spring temperatures cause buds to break later than average, and warm summer nights produce fruit that demonstrates a great balance between acidity and sugar. Combine this with soils that are nutrient-poor, stressing the vines, producing intense wines from small clusters and berries, all of which, translates into a rich diversity of complexity and flavor in your glass with excellent aging properties.

Firm, deep, complex aromas of earthy cranberry, dried herbs, and dark red fruit speak to the challenging growing conditions against which mountain-grown fruit initially strives, conquer, and then flourish. The rich, dense and balanced character of Howell Mountain flows through to the palate, where red currant, black plum, and mulberry suffused with a background of raspberry, joust with a core of fine tannin, crisp acidity, and sweet toasty oak.