Howell Mountain Wine

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Unlike the pending Calistoga AVA the Howell Mountain AVA not only exists but also was the first AVA to be carved out of the Napa Valley appellation, way back in 1984. Roughly centered around the town of Angwin and stretching north to south some 12 miles or so, it roughly parallels the range of the Diamond and Spring Mountain districts This western facing AVA hugs the Vaca Mountain range that forms the eastern edge of the valley and benefits from the long hours of afternoon sun it receives. The great exposure of the vineyards is more important here than anywhere else in the valley as these rolling vineyards, concentrated between 1200 and 2200 feet above sea-level, are surprising cool, with daytime highs frequently 10 degrees lower than the valley floor. These lower temperatures lengthen the growing season and allow for valued hang time. The key to the wines here is the slowed down maturation cycle which allows the grapes to ripen in tune with the tannins, and yet retain naturally balanced acidity. The name Howell Mountain gives a somewhat misleading impression for this area is really more of a high plateau as opposed to the vertiginous vineyards of Mount Veeder. As with the western mountain AVAs the soil here is volcanic in origin and offers excellent drainage, though the region is dotted with picturesque lakes. The area remains mostly wooded with only several hundred acres devoted to vines but the wines that are produced here are perhaps the most distinctive in the valley. The terroir of Howell Mountain is quite assertive; these are lean and earthy wines if judged against most from Napa Valley. The soils here are very poor and the vines fight for their lives. The stresses the vines face and the well-drained soils yield small, intense grapes that translate into these distinctive wines, massively structured and speaking of the dirt from which they’ve come. This should not be mistaken for a lack of fruit however. These wines are well endowed with perfectly ripe fruit, and perfect balance. They just lack the jammy edge many wines from Napa exhibit and have replaced it with compelling layers of mineral and savory flavors. Many grapes do very well in this mild climate, and while Cabernet remains the most prominent, brawny and powerful with deep fruit and imposing structure, it can be argued that the stars here really are the rich, spicy Zinfandels, the fully ripened, deep Cabernet Francs and the powerful, structured Merlots, as they tend to be the best one will find in the Valley. – Description from Gregory Dal Piaz (hide)

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Dunn Winery

The wines of Randy Dunn really need no introduction. First with Caymus Vineyards, where Randy was the winemaker from 1975 through 1985, and then with his eponymous Dunn label, whose first release was a 1979 Cabernet from Howell Mountain fruit, Dunn’s w...

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Popular wines made in Howell Mountain under $20

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Luna Vineyards White Blend Napa Valley Lunatic White

Varietals Produced in Howell Mountain View all

Cabernet Franc

History of the grape: References to it in the Loire region of France date as far back as the mid 12th century. But it...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

Popular Wineries in Howell Mountain View all

Howell Mountain Vineyards

Howell Mountain Vineyards was acquired in 2005 by Rutherford Bench LLC, which is owned by the Cho...
Viader Vineyards & Winery

VIADER's vineyards and winery are located on the steep rocky slopes of Howell Mountain in the ...
Cornerstone Cellars

Cornerstone is celebrating our 17th vintage making only concentrated, collectible Napa Valley red...
Lamborn Family Vineyards

The first "Family Vineyard" label in California, Lamborn Family Vineyards was established in the ...
Piña Napa Valley

Our family's history of making and growing wine in the Napa Valley stretches back to our great gr...
Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery

Summit Lake Vineyards is known for its mountain grown Zinfandel. The winery also produces a small...

People getting updates on Howell Mountain Wines

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Howell Mountain on Snooth

May 2013

Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 1995

Snoothrank:

Open oer 24 hours and I got the last bit, so I believe oxygen robbed me of this experience. Nose of stewed red berry and currant. Tomato leaf and red berry compote aromas. Oxidation setting in. All red currant and stewed red fruit with some herbs. Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
May 2013

Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Nickrueter
May 2013

Press Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet 2009

Snoothrank:

Bold, approachable delicious Cab. Sweet deal for a single vineyard Howell Mtn Cab!Long, satisfying finish....tastes like a great Bordeaux. Read More

Wine review by Longhorns
May 2013

Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2005

Snoothrank:

At eight years, the tannins in this wine still provide some structure, but without being overpowering. Blackberry, plum, and some mineral notes - possibly graphite. Color is a dark ruby. About a 10-15 second finish. If you like classic bordeaux style wines, this is elegant and restrained in the same way. I'd give it a 92 on the Parker type gradi... Read More

Wine review by clayharm
April 2013

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by linoluck
April 2013

Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown 2007

Snoothrank:

Medium dark ruby color; rich, appealing, berry, blackberry nose; tasty, ripe blackberry, berry palate; medium-plus finish. (89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot; 16 mos. in 100% French oak, 35% new, 65% second vintage; 14.5% alcohol) 92 points Read More

Wine review by RJonWine
April 2013

Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown 2008

Snoothrank:

Medium dark ruby color; vanilla, berry, black cherry nose; tasty, a little tight, blackberry, berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish. (86% Merlot, 9.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc; 16 mos. in 100% French oak, 20% new, 80% second vintage; 14.5% alcohol) 92+ points Read More

Wine review by RJonWine
April 2013

Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown 2009

Snoothrank:

Medium dark ruby color; French oak, vanilla, berry, black fruit, sweet coffee nose; rich, ripe black fruit, berry, espresso palate; medium-plus finish. (84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc; 16 mos. in 100% French oak, 20% new, 80% second vintage; 14.5% alcohol) 92 points Read More

Wine review by RJonWine
April 2013

La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain 2007

Snoothrank:

Dark red violet color; ripe plum, black fruit nose with lift; tight, plush, nice black fruit, sage, espresso palate; medium-plus finish. 93 points Read More

Wine review by RJonWine
March 2013

Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Obsidian 2009

Snoothrank:

Richness, full bodied, well crafted. Read More

Wine review by Mr Dolce
Dec 15, 2010

I was just there this past weekend (Dec. 11, 2010). Tasted at Burgess, Viader and Pine Ridge. Bought a magnum of at Viader. Got to sample a 1996 Cab at Burgess. Fell in love with the Cave tasting room experience at Pine Ridge.....

Comment by 676517winetastingtab 676517

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