2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
The 2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the rugged power and precision of this famed appellation. Aromas of graphite, mulberry, blackberry, and fresh mint rise from the glass, hinting at the mountain fruit intensity within. On the palate, dense layers of cassis, boysenberry, and dark chocolate are framed by firm, chewy tannins and lifted by notes of tobacco and leather. The elevation and rocky soils of Howell Mountain produce a wine of striking depth and structure, where bold fruit and minerality meet in perfect balance. With bottle age, the tannins have begun to soften, revealing a core of dark fruit and savory complexity.
This wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its character. Natural sediment may occur.
Production Details
Vintage: 2017
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Howell Mountain
Vineyard Designation: Howell Mountain
Bottling Date: 2019-06-24
Cases Produced: 191 cases (12 x 750ml)
Continuing my exploration of Napa Valley and its renowned Cabernet Sauvignon appellations, I had the opportunity to work with the legendary Heitz family and their Ink Grade Vineyard, located in the Howell Mountain growing region. I was intrigued to work with fruit that experiences a markedly different growing season from the valley floor. Howell Mountain is known for its extremes: colder winters often dusted with snow, a longer spring frost season, later bud break, and fog-free summers.
These conditions yield fruit with elevated acidity, fully ripe sugars, and a tannin structure prized for its minerality and slightly dusty character. To highlight these natural attributes, I used only 50% new oak and maintained a lighter touch during vinification. The result is a true mountain expression: structured and powerful, with chewy tannins woven around bold, dark fruit.
—Michael Baldacci, Winemaker
