2013 Cresta Velia Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (750ml)

These are two reasonable values in high-quality mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa from chef and owner John Giannini. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a limited production cuvée that exhibits an opaque purple color and notes of cassis and blackberry liqueur, some licorice and underlying earthy notes. It is full-bodied, rich, dense and super-impressive for a relatively new producer. This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Eagle Summit Vineyard on Howell Mountain and was aged 20 months in 80% new French oak. (RP) (12/2015)

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with Howell Mountain character. Inky blue and black fruit, graphite, crushed rocks and bittersweet chocolate are backed by a spine of incisive tannins. Powerful yet vivid at the same time, the 2013 oozes character. Ideally, readers should give the 2013 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften a touch. This is an impressive effort. (AG)  (10/2015)