Winemaker Notes
Capturing the wild essence of its origin, this Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and layered, showcasing wild boysenberry, blueberry, and black plum with hints of cedar, cocoa powder and all-spice. The palate is dense with firm fine-grained tannins. The thoughtful addition of Merlot and Cabernet Franc balances the wine’s overall structure.
Production
Despite an unusually dry winter and warm spring, budbreak was delayed due to light rain in March. The overall lack of rainfall led to light clusters and small berries, which resulted in reduced yields and great concentration. Harvest began on August 5th with Semillon, and early heat generated a fast and furious first few weeks of picking. A much-needed mid-September cool-down allowed for sugars to realign with flavor development. Moderate temperatures continued throughout the rest of the season, providing additional hangtime for the grapes. Our last red grapes were harvested before the rains in late October, resulting in beautiful wines that are dense, pure and polished.