2019 Ink Grade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Heady and explosive red and black fruit notes are intermixed with an enticing graham cracker crust and toasty oak element. Full-bodied and overflowing with pure black fruits and more savoury-sweet oak spices. Powerful mountain tannins are burly and grippy, like the vines clinging to the rocks. Ink Grade estate on Howell Mountain, is an organically and biodynamically farmed ranch. Ink Grade is led by winemaker Matt Taylor. Taylor worked at Eisele Vineyard for six years and worked a stint at Domaine Dujac and Joseph Swan. (JC)

For a limited time, we have exceptionally low, exclusive Insider’s Advantage pricing on this mountain-grown Napa Cabernet from Ink Grade. Ink Grade sits on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain, overlooking Chiles Valley. Portions of the vineyard fall just below the AVA’s official 1,500-foot elevation line, so the wine is bottled as Napa Valley Cabernet - but its character is Howell Mountain to the core. Much of the estate is dramatically steep, with terraces carved into rocky volcanic slopes. The property is owned by Demeine Estates, which also owns Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill, and is farmed according to certified organic and biodynamic protocols. Winemaker Matt Taylor has worked at a number of top properties, including a long stint just over the hill at the legendary Eisele Vineyard, so it’s fair to say he knows a thing or two about crafting classically styled, age-worthy Napa Cabernet. There’s plenty of mountain power here, but this is far from just brawn and brute force. A beautiful aromatic lift captures the wild chaparral character that is so distinctive of Howell Mountain. Briary red fruit, plum, graphite, singed cedar, exotic oak spice, and hot stone unfold in layers. The palate is long and deeply structured, with ample tannin but a polished, refined feel that keeps everything in balance. And what a price we have on this bottle almost 50% off a wine that typically sells for $80-$90! At this level of quality and pedigree, I don’t expect it to last long.