Robert Craig - Howell Mountain Cuvee 2018
Price: $34.75
Producer | Robert Craig |
Country | United States |
Region | California |
Subregion | Howell Mountain |
Varietal | Red Blend |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 05576 |
Robert Craig Description
Our mission at RCW is to be stewards of our tremendous vineyards while welcoming each successive generation to our wines and our culture ... without requiring a ridiculous price of entry. To that end, we are thrilled to present this affordable and amazing introduction to the wines of The Craig, for those not familiar with what we do ... as well as a reward to our current customers.
"It is my pleasure to offer a limited production of the greatest $50 wine to ever be released in the Napa Valley: the 2018 Howell Mountain Cuvée (HMC). HMC is a predominately Cabernet blend that includes Merlot and Malbec from young vines on the Candlestick Vineyard at the top of Howell Mountain. This wine spent a little less time in new barrels than our $110/bottle Howell Mountain Cabernet, and is being released earlier, but it has markedly similar quality and pedigree."
CANDLESTICK RIDGE ESTATE VINEYARD, HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Just down the road, Candlestick Ridge is the northernmost vineyard in the Howell Mountain AVA and is slightly warmer than the summit ridge where the Winery Estate vineyard lies. Candlestick is influenced by warm air from Pope Valley to the east and – at its slightly lower elevation – it is protected from the constant wind that hits the ridge line. The big subsurface boulders were removed during the replanting, leaving thin tufa soil on top of a rocky volcanic bedrock.
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Malbec
2018 was a tremendous vintage in the Napa Valley and this new red wine cuveé shows all of the deep color, structure and complexity that one might expect from Howell Mountain. The generous portion of Merlot in the wine allows for a velvet, supple mouthfeel to go with the exotic nose, but make no mistake, this is a Bordeaux Blend from Howell Mountain with the ability to improve for decades in the cellar if called upon to do so.