2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

We've been sourcing fruit from various Howell Mountain vineyards from the beginning and are continualy blown away by the overall quality of fruit from this appelation in the mountains east of St Helena. If we could have only one vineyard, it would likely be here, with its iron rich red Aiken soils, cool days, and moderate temperatures.

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% Howell Mountain. Eighty-five percent of the blend is comprised of the classic clone 7 — or "Wente" clone — of cabernet sauvignon. Originally from the old Wente vineyard in Livermore, it made it's way into the Napa Valley via Geroge De Latour's Beaulieu Vineyard. The remaining fifteen percent is clone 4, also known as the "Mendoza" clone, the cuttings having arrived in California for the first time in the 1960's. Clone 4 is known to be a moderate producer with great intensity.

Winemakers Notes

2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Coombsville is an up and coming region in the Napa Valley, having just received appelation (AVA) status on December 14, 2011. For a while it has been the secret of many winemakers as the cool weather and long growing season produces a wine that is more complex and structured than many of the warmer "Valley Floor" spots.

Roughly two-thirds of this wine comes from Coombsville with the remainder coming from Howell Mountain and Oakville. It's a classic blend that's comprised of 93% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc, 3% merlot, and 1% petit verdot and aged in 100% french oak fro 22 months.

Winemakers Notes