Almacerro, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, 2019

About The Producer
We fell in love with a Napa we came to know in the early 1980s, which is to say a Napa that hadn’t changed much since the repeal of Prohibition. Farmers and winemakers tasting out of their cellars, unabashedly agrarian and bucolic. Remote and often wild places; even on the well-traveled Silverado Trail you felt like you were miles in the country. So when we started looking for a vineyard, we knew exactly what we wanted. We wanted our own piece of dirt, high up on Howell Mountain, perhaps Napa’s most remote outpost. A place to farm with all of the raw materials to allow for the utmost in quality in our wine.

And Almacerro was it. At almost 1,800 feet, the grapes grown here are mountain fruit — no debating that. Since we have been here, we have worked to revitalize and expand the vineyard planted by the family before us, so it can reach its full potential. Our crushpad is rustic and our caves unadorned. But they work. Like a lovingly restored family heirloom, we’ve fixed what was broken and embraced the property’s character and beauty everywhere else. Under Mike Wolf’s care the vineyard is flourishing, and with Françoise Peschon and Matilda Scott’s expertise, the wines have a profile that reflects our approach — forthright in structure, nuanced and balanced in character, and evocative of this incredible place.

Winemaker
Matilda Scott

Grape / Blend
93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2019 Almacerro Cabernet Sauvignon is distinctly Howell Mountain with its powerful dark fruit and savory herbal spices. The nose is reminiscent of dusk in winter on the peaks of Howell Mountain; fresh, clean, gripping, and constantly evolving. Notes of woodsy fir, wild sage, tarragon, red fruits, black licorice, rose petal and minty bay laurel are grounded by fresh loamy earth and crushed gravel. Well integrated, tight, and fine-grained tannins will reward those that are patient. There is a gravitas to this wine that places it solidly on Howell Mountain.

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a stop-you-in-your-tracks beauty that's based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, all from Howell Mountain. Ripe currants, cassis, dark chocolate, graphite, and spicy wood notes define this beauty, and it's full-bodied, with a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and awesome length. It's a flat-out gorgeous Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from 2-4 years in the cellar, and I'd be shocked if it didn't evolve for two decades or more.

95 Points - Wine Independent
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon gives up notes of chocolate-covered cherries, creme de cassis, and wild blueberries plus hints of underbrush, cardamom, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is packed with densely layered black fruit preserves, supported by firm, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and earthy.

95 Points - Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a heady, full-throttle Howell Mountain wine. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice and gravel are all kicked up. This plush Cabernet has a ton of character, it just needs a bit of time to shed some baby fat. There is a lot to look forward to. The 2019 has started to close down a bit over the last few months. I would not dream of touching a bottle any time soon. This is another super-promising wine from Almacerro, an estate Vinous readers will want to keep an eye on.

Product Size: 750ml