While daytime temperatures tend to be warm, the temperature drops considerably at night, one reason the buds break later than other AVAs in Napa Valley.
And even though the Howell Mountain appellation receives twice the rainfall of the Valley areas, the soil tends to stay dry due to the coarse, rocky conditions that allow the water to drain quickly.
While somewhat remote and challenging to manage with rugged, steep terrain that produces smaller fruit and modest yields, why are the wines from grapes grown in the Howell Mountain AVA so popular?”
The answer is simple. The unique growing conditions produce grapes that yield unique and complex flavors that result in some of the most highly praised wines in the world. Wine collectors value the limited production of Handwritten Wines’ Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons as some of the finest wines in Napa Valley, notable for their extraordinarily complex flavors, nuances, elegance, and grace.
Handwritten Wines’ Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howell Mountain AVA Vineyards
The rocky, volcanic soils of the Howell Mountain AVA produce much smaller, more concentrated, and intensely flavored grapes that result in wines with notable fruit-forwardness and complexity that are recognized as truly unique and desirable.
Recent Vintages of Handwritten Wines Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons
2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
The winemakers at Handwritten Wines converted the bold red fruits into a delicious Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that offers aromas of rosemary, cedar, and sage and flavors of raspberry, cherry, and red plum and finish with layers of dark chocolate, expresso, and hints of vanilla in a lively acidity.
The 2019 vintage, a special Members-exclusive handcrafted wine, is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced entirely from the Howell Mountain Appellation. The Handcrafted winemakers have aged the wine for twenty-two months in 80% new French Oak barrels. The ABV content of this handcrafted wine is 14.9%.
2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
The natural stress and reduced yields resulting from the conditions of the Howell Mountain AVA limit the amount of wine produced. Laden with dark fruits and rich chocolate flavors, this wine presents incomparable richness and boldness, a structure built on bold tannins, and a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness.
Produced from 100% Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the 2018 vintage has been aged for twenty-two months in 80% new French Oak barrels. ABV content is 14.9%.
2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This commanding wine exudes aromas of black cherry and currants punctuated with black pepper spice. This vintage, with its silky tannins, is every bit the attention-grabber that is the norm for the Howell Mountain AVA wines. This one has the stamina to be a star in the cellar for many years.
The 2017 vintage was also aged for twenty-two months in 80% new French Oak barrels, resulting in a 14.9% ABV content.
Becoming a Member of the Handwritten Wines Members Circle
Members of Handwritten Wines Member Circles enjoy several unique benefits unavailable to our non-member customers. Besides complimentary wine tastings, Members Circle Members have access to special events and limited offerings, including the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon vintages noted above.
For more information about becoming a Handwritten Wines Member Circle participant, visit the Club website and view the advantages available to members.
