The resulting wine is fantastic with aromas of clove, cranberry, raspberry, coffee, cinnamon, black pepper, and coco nibs. Gloriously pure notes of boysenberry, graphite, blackberry, coffee, and dark chocolate soar from the glass and cascade over the palate. The wine is full-bodied, with an opulent, velvety texture, pure, rich with firm tannins and bold structure that is classic Howell Mountain.
Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
TASTING NOTES:
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes all from the estate on Howell Mountain and is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, and the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. More blue fruits, bay leaf, candied violets, orange blossom, and floral notes emerge from this full-bodied beauty, which reveals a rounded, sexy texture, polished tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles just a few years in the cellar and it's going to keep for 15+.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 95 pts.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a sumptuous Howell Mountain Cabernet. It offers up an exciting mélange of dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, spice, game, mint and blood orange. More than anything else, the Estate Cabernet delivers plenty of Howell Mountain richness, with nicely softened tannins that make it a total pleasure to taste.
- Vinous, 95 pts.
This has both grippy mountain fruit characteristics as well as a sleekness, with racy-edged black currant, fig and blackberry fruit lined with bramble, apple wood and licorice snap notes. Features a strong finishing kick of fruit at the end, too. Best from 2023 through 2035.
- Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
