2023 HALL Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Critic Review
"I loved the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which has ripe red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with iron, black olive, and smoked tobacco on the nose. This darker, rich, full-bodied mountain Cabernet has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink 2027-2047."
97 Points | The Wine Palate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown
"Deep garnet-purple colored, after a swirl or two the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) features gregarious notes of black currant jelly, black raspberries, and cedar chest, followed by nuances of rose bud tea, fragrant soil, and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate delivers a solid frame of grainy tannins with plenty of freshness to match the muscular black fruit, finishing long and earthy."
94 Points | The Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski
"The smallest production of Hall's AVA wines is the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, at just 400 cases. Blended from three sites, it nevertheless delivers a sense of place via its aromas, which suggest pine needles, blueberries and cherries. Add in the considerable tannic clout and there's little doubt where this full-bodied, sturdy wine comes from. Concentrated and firm (but ripe) and mocha-tinged on the lengthy finish, it demands at least five years in the cellar."
2023 HALL Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2023 Howell Mountain has layered and intense aromas of black cherry and black olive, and freshly turned earth notes. The palate is dense, yet lifted with concentrated flavors of dark berry coulis, dark chocolate, and just a hint of iron. The finish showcases the fresh and site specific nature of the 2023 vintage - dynamic and lush, with focused tannin and beautiful lifted fruit-oak balance.
Black Cherry
Freshly Turned Earth
Dark Berry Coulis
Dark Chocolate
Perched 1400 feet above the valley floor, Howell Mountain is well above the fog line. This natural inversion layer assures the vineyards are drenched in sunlight from daybreak to sunset. Cooler spring temperatures cause buds to break later than average, and warm summer nights produce fruit of opulence and density. With rocky, infertile volcanic soils, the water is freely drained and the vines struggle and are low in vigor, producing intense wines from small clusters and berries.
| Bottle Size | 750mL |
|---|---|
| Varietal Composition | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Barrel Aging | 24 Months in 70% New French Oak |
| Appellation | Howell Mountain, Napa Valley |
| Vineyard | Howell Mountain Grower Partners |
| Vintage Notes | The 2023 growing season was all about patience. A very long, wet winter replenished the soils and filled our reservoirs. Cooler spring weather delayed budbreak and the start of the growing season by several weeks. Late spring saw moderate warmth and led to substantial canopy growth, as well as a healthy crop load on the vines. Mild, warm temperatures created perfect ripening conditions throughout the summer and early fall. The longer hang time allowed the fruit to reach optimum ripeness, and resulted in a superb vintage that is fresh, full of flavor, with great balance and fruit density. |
