Howell Mountain 2019: top Cabernets from this Napa AVA
Recognised for it's high-altitude microclimate, Napa Valley's first sub-AVA produces distinctively structured Cabernet Sauvignons. And In 2019, winemakers are praising their youthful aromatics, freshness and elegance in addition to the concentration and tannins.
QUICK LINK 2019 Napa Cabernet: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
Above the fogline, between 427m and 726m, Howell Mountain – Napa Valley’s first sub-AVA, awarded in 1983 – is home to an array of varying slopes, rolling hills and microclimates with typically poor, rocky, well-draining soils.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Howell Mountain 2019 Cabernets
It is the Napa Valley AVA that produces ‘highly concentrated tannins’ that ‘express themselves as broad, middle-palate texture’, explains Christopher Carpenter, winemaker for Jackson Family Wines estates including Lokoya.
‘The 2019 vintage brought us lots of winter rain, frequent fog events in the spring, and a mild summer with just a few short heat spikes,’ Carpenter adds.
This all led to an abundance of freshness in the finished wines. Sean Capiux of O’Shaughnessy says: ‘Our wines have amazing fruit concentration and elegance but are still mountain wines,’ and says the hallmark of the vintage for Howell Mountain lies in ‘the most youthful aromatic character of any past vintage’.
Howell Mountain 2019: the top-performing producers
- Lokoya
- O’Shaughnessy
- Robert Craig Winery
Cristaldi’s value picks
97 points O’Shaughnessy Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2019
94 points Howell at the Moon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2019
93 points Bravante Vineyards, Stone Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2019
QUICK LINKS
Napa Cabernet 2019 – individual analysis by AVA:
Calistoga | Coombsville | Oakville | Rutherford | Spring Mountain | St Helena | Stags Leap District | Other Napa Valley AVAs
PLUS: Top-value Napa Cabernet 2019 – the best to buy
Howell Mountain 2019: the top-scoring Cabernets
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Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Incredibly rich and opulent. Sumptuous aromas of ripe cassis, boysenberry, blackberry and mountain herbs. The incredibly vivid dark berry fruit – deep and penetrating –...
2019
LokoyaNapa Valley
O'Shaughnessy Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Sean Capiaux has crafted this Howell Mountain staple for more than two decades. In 2019, he's made a knockout! Explosive aromas of ripe, black...
2019
O'Shaughnessy EstateNapa Valley
Robert Craig, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
From a 0.44ha vineyard of well-draining alluvial soils. Aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Richly scented with dark...
2019
Robert CraigNapa Valley
Zakin Wines, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
A really bright and vivid take on the classic Philippe Melka style of expressing refined dark fruit flavours and savoury accents with immense structure. From...
2019
Zakin WinesNapa Valley
Howell at the Moon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Tim Milos and consulting winemaker Sarah Gott work with grapes farmed by the sixth-generation brothers at Piña Vineyard Management. Powerful aromas of inky black...
2019
Howell at the MoonNapa Valley
Bravante Vineyards, Stone Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
From estate vines atop Howell Mountain, this boasts a gravelly texture and fine-grained tannins. A tight nose reveals dusty herbs and chaparral before opening up...
2019
Bravante VineyardsNapa Valley
Louis M Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Powerful oak dominates black cherry, blackberry and graphite on the nose. Ripe sweet red berries, spiced plum and tangy pomegranate burst forth on the full-bodied,...
2019
Louis M MartiniNapa Valley
