Castiel Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2023

About The Producer
Inspired by Dave and Kathleen’s desire to capture time and place, Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a collaboration among nature, patient and caring human hands, and artistic excellence. It speaks clearly of its unique and extraordinary location upon Howell Mountain. It is masterfully brought to life by the talented and renowned winemaker, Celia Welch, whose deep knowledge and understanding of expressing terroir allows each vintage to showcase its unique qualities while maintaining the consistency of Howell Mountain characteristics.

Since the first vintage in 2014, attention to detail and exacting viticultural practices yield berries of ripe, delicious flavors. The grapes are harvested by hand in several passes resulting in many distinct vinifications from which to create the final blend. At the winery, clusters are gently destemmed and berries are chosen with intent by manual and sophisticated optical sorting methods. During fermentation, the wine is left on the skins until complete, and then pressed and transferred to French oak barrels to age for 18 to 22 months. Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine structured around the backbone of minerality, concentrated fruit, powerful richness and integrated tannins, the hallmark qualities of a Howell Mountain cabernet.

Each vintage begins life in the vineyard where attention to detail and exacting viticultural practices yield berries of ripe, delicious flavors. Grapes are harvested by hand in several passes, resulting in many distinct vinifications from which to create the final blend. Arriving at the winery in the cool morning hours, clusters are gently destemmed and berries are chosen, with intent, through optical and manual sorting processes. The wine is barrel aged in 100% French oak for 20-22 months then bottle aged 12-14 months prior to release."

Sustainably Farmed.

Winemaker
Maayan Koschitzky

Grape / Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2023 Castiel Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant powerhouse that perfectly showcases the sophistication and complexity of these two high-elevation vineyards. Upon approach, it opens with expressive dark aromatics of graphite, dark chocolate, crushed rocks, and black fruits that are seamlessly blended with pronounced classic mountain freshness, wild herb and savory complexities. On the palate, the mountain tannins are
pronounced, yet they feel completely dissolved and polished giving the wine a deep, textural and incredibly concentrated mouthfeel without any hard edges or heaviness. There is a stunningly beautiful core of natural sweetness in this wine that is layered with undertones of forest floor and violets. The integration of the French oak and vibrant acidity lead to a finish that literally does not quit. The 2023 Castiel Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is one of those rare offerings that can be enjoyed upon its initial release after a short decant or can effortlessly age for the next 30 years or more.

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
A blend from Howell Mountain, Coombsville, and Oak Knoll, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley opens with crème de cassis, graphite, liquid lead pencil, violets, and chalky minerality. It's medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a gorgeous finish. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon from sites including Red Hen in Coombsville and Howell Mountain and aged 22 months in barrels, it comes across as an incredibly complete wine with a layered mouthfeel and a seamless, balanced profile that should cruise in the cellar. Drink this pleasure-bent Napa Cabernet over the coming 30 years. Drink 2025-2055.

97 Points - Decanter
Talk about a polished, beautifully concentrated and profoundly structured full-bodied Cabernet from the epic 2023 vintage in Napa, crafted by Maayan Koschitzky, the Screaming Eagle alum. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clones 4, 7, 169 and See) spent up to 22 months ageing in French oak, 60-70% of it new. The vines come from two sites: the 36-hectare Castiel Estate on Howell Mountain and Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville. Bold blackberry, black cherry and plum fruits are framed by impeccably fine French oak, which weaves an elegant framework around the ripe, expansive fruit. Contributions from the cooler Sleeping Lady site layer in fine wild herbs and dusty crushed-stone minerality, while the Howell Mountain grapes bring tannic power, muscle and dark-fruit intensity. The wine is flashy and full, yet so polished that there is an unexpected lightness and sleekness to it. You’re welcome to drink it now, but it would be best to hold until around 2027, allowing the mountain tannins to soften and the underlying earthy character to emerge in spades. What a wine.

Product Size: 750ml