2019 Robert Craig "Estate" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
97VN
96DC
94RP
$99.95
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97
Vinous
Reviewed October 2021The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another stellar wine from Robert Craig. Bright and incisive, with tons of energy, the Howell Mountain Cabernet delivers the goods, big time. A rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, menthol, spice and crushed rocks build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that dazzles. This deep, vivid Cabernet hits all the right notes. Superb. (AG)
Professional Reviews
96
Decanter
Richly scented with dark fruit, loamy soil, vivid violet and rose petal notes and coffee beans. Decadent mountain blueberry and mulberry fruit, with mineral underpinnings and chocolaty tannins that are firm, long and muscular. Nicely integrated with pops of wild herbs on the finish. A deliciously pleasing wine. Aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. (JC)
94
Wine Advocate
A blend of two vineyard sites, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an assemblage of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Matured 18 month in French oak, it's cedary, but those shadings are balanced by attractive sage nuances set against a backdrop of ripe blueberries and cherries. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and long, it's the real deal. (JC) 94+
Staff Reviews
RW
The Robert Craig Howell Mountain Estate Cab is simply incredible. A wine that manages to at once capture the power and intensity that Howell Mountain is known for whilst also remaining perfectly balanced, refined and nuanced. The aromatic profile and purity of fruit is really striking. The nose is full of lavender, mountain thyme and chapparal, mulberry, cassis, leather and crushed graphite. The palate is rich and mouth-filling with dark red and purple fruits, crushed flowers, shaved cedar, and cigar box tones. Lots of tannin and structure, but perfectly refined and fine grained, not at all harsh or astringent as can sometimes be the case with young mountain-grown wines. I have long been a big fan of the Robert Craig wines but these 2019 releases from them are next level. This bottling comes from two blocks of their estate both over 2000ft elevation on west facing slopes Howell Mountain. One block has the classic red volcanic rocks and soil, the other parcel is quite distinctive with white volcanic ash, or tufa that I believe enhances the perfume of this wine so beautifully. I think this is the best bottle of Napa Cabernet you can buy right now for $100 and there are plenty of $300+ bottles that don't even come close. Incredible work from the team at Robert Craig who absolutely nailed it in 2019. Don't miss it.
CH
Chelsea Herholdt
Chelsea Herholdt
Robert Craig has captured Howell Mountain and the 2019 vintage beautifully in this stunner of a release. Dark red fruits, sage brush, and spice jump out of the glass first. The low yields attained by their 2300ft elevation, ~1.8tons/acre, bring concentration and complexity to the balanced but forward palate. Present and firm tannins, balanced by an acidity and body that keeps the mouth ready for more, are sure to please any Napa lover. However, this will not leave any full bodied red wine drinker behind. I look forward to enjoying this wine in years to come - it runs with the highest quality wines in Napa and is sure to age with them.
RM
Ryan Moses
Ryan Moses
I've been lucky enough to try this twice in the past few weeks, and both times it stood out as one of the more distinctive, complete, and site-specific Cabs I've tried in a long time. Both times it stood out as the wine of the lineup for me, against some top-level competition. One of the tastings was right after we visited Dunn, where stylistically it is a different wine, the mid-palate structure and density shows a perfect thread of Howell Mountain character. The aromas show a compelling dusty/rocky minerality that helps add some nuance to the classic notes of cassis, cedar, and vanilla. On th palate it is layered with red to black fruits, with a bit of juiciness that keeps the otherwise structured wine lively and dynamic. The texture is superb, carrying a depth of flavor, fruit, and tannin seamlessly to a long finish. A wonderful expression of the vintage, producer, and vineyard, it far exceeded my expectations and stands for me as one of the best buys in luxury Napa Cab that we have going right now.
Notes
From two estate parcels both right up on the summit of Howell Mountain at 2,100ft and 2,300ft elevation. Soils vary from iron rich red volcanic to white volcanic ash or tufa. The Robert Craig wines are expertly crafted by Keith Emerson of Vineyard 29 fame.
Details
| Origin | Napa Valley, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends |
| SKU | 1691860 |