2019 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Howell MountainTEMP1742
2019 was a remarkable vintage in the mountains of the Napa Valley and in particular Howell Mountain. Tiny yields and small, uniform bunches made for wine with unparalleled intensity in our history at Robert Craig Winery. Along with the usual core of minerality and wild berry fruit, the 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet possesses an energy and nerve that signal a long life ahead in the cellar.
Back in 1992, when Robert Craig founded his eponymous winery, wines from the mountain appellations of Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Diamond Mountain weren’t nearly as fashionable as they are today, or as polished and drinkable. Craig was a visionary in a sense, not only because he recognized the inherent value of mountain fruit, but because he insisted on making wines that could also show well on release. No easy task. Even today the vineyard team at Robert Craig works hard to make sure every row they’re picking is optimally ripe, a key factor in avoiding tannic, green wines. Our hat is off to them and to Stephen Tebb for making such beautiful reds.
Vinous
The 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.