2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordUSA

Heitz Cellar

Cabernet Sauvignon
Lot C-91 2018
Napa Valley

2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

A visionary pioneer, Joe Heitz etched his name into Napa Valley history by introducing the region’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon from Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1950s. He subsequently founded Heitz Cellar in 1961.

Lot C-91 traces its origins to the autumn of 1969. Joe had a profound realization: by carefully selecting grapes from his finest parcels, he could craft a wine that transcended the sum of its components. The resulting wine embodies the culmination of five decades of relentless dedication, experimentation, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. 

A passionate homage to Joe Heitz, who passed in 2000, this cuvée is meticulously crafted in each vintage. The 2018 vintage, predominantly sourced from estate vineyards in St. Helena, incorporates fruit from the revered appellations of Oakville, Rutherford, and Howell Mountain. The result is a flawlessly balanced Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a timeless testament to Joe Heitz and his enduring legacy.

Heitz Cellar
Cabernet Sauvignon
Lot C-91 2018
Napa Valley
Retails at: $120

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“In 1969, Joe Heitz made a cuvée that was more outstanding than his Napa Cabernet, but not a single-vineyard bottling. In 2018, after the winery was bought by Gaylon Lawrence Jr., the team at Heitz discovered four bottles and decided they should set out to recreate Joe’s experiment. It is the boldest of the bunch: a delicious hedonistic pleasure filled red with excellent balance and teeming with pure dark fruit notes, rich earthen spices, dried purple florals, cedarwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate — a firm acid backbone frames fine-grained tannins. There is plenty of richness, balanced by tension and energy. Lawrence Wine Estates Master Sommelier and CEO Carlton McCoy calls it the ‘uber Napa cuvee’ and the best multi-site expression of Heitz for the vintage.”

95 Points

Merlot wine bottle from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, 2014 vintage.

2014 La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain

with No Comment $80-$90Howell MountainKevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

La Jota

Merlot 2014
Howell Mountain

Merlot wine bottle from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, 2014 vintage.

The 2014 La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot arrives with an authority that immediately distinguishes it. Born at high elevation, it forgoes plushness in favor of precision and generosity in favor of structure, delivering a wine that is both powerful and exacting. This is Merlot with genuine mountain backbone, shaped by volcanic soils, cool nights, and a long growing season that prizes depth, tension, and longevity.

La Jota’s roots run deep on this mountain. Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the estate has endured cycles of abandonment and renewal, yet its commitment to Howell Mountain has never wavered. Today, under the direction of Chris Carpenter, that legacy is honed with precision. His approach is measured and site-driven, allowing the character of these historic vineyards to emerge fully.

At twelve years of age, the 2014 demonstrates precisely why Howell Mountain wines command such respect for their longevity. The structure remains firm, but the edges have softened, revealing a more expressive, layered profile. A natural freshness keeps the wine vibrant and lifted. It is a compelling reminder that wines from this elevation are built not merely to endure, but to evolve.

La Jota
Merlot 2014
Howell Mountain
Retails at: $100

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“Blended with 10% Petit Verdot, this age-worthy beauty is impressively oaked and tannic in its youth, with a concentration of densely packed red and black currants. Coconut shavings and vanilla appear from the background alongside black pepper and cinnamon. This should drink best from 2024–2034.”

94 Points, Cellar Selection

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

La Jota

Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2019

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

On Howell Mountain, beauty is earned. The soils are thin, the slopes unforgiving, and the climate cool; yet from this adversity comes the soul of the La Jota Cabernet. Each cluster ripened under intense sunlight and cooled by high-elevation breezes, developing a structure both formidable and refined. The result is a wine that speaks fluently of its origin: dark, resonant, and built for the long arc of aging.

La Jota’s roots run deep into this mountain as well. Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the estate has weathered booms, busts, Prohibition, and rebirth, all while maintaining its foothold on Howell Mountain’s most expressive soils. Today, under Chris Carpenter’s guidance, the estate channels more than a century of resilience into each vintage. His approach honors the site’s original philosophy: let the mountain speak first, then shape its voice with precision and patience.

After several years of unhurried evolution in bottle, the 2019 now shows a harmony that only time can create. The fruit has deepened and integrated, while the tannins have relaxed without losing their mountain backbone, creating a wine that is open, expressive, and beautifully layered. It retains all the hallmarks of great Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with a charm and accessibility that make it stunningly enjoyable right now.

La Jota
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2019
Retails at: $185

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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another superb wine from La Jota. Rich and explosive, the 2019 possesses tremendous density and plenty of mountain power. A rush of black cherry, blackberry, licorice, spice and menthol builds into the huge finish. This is a fabulous vintage for the La Jota Cabernet.”

96 Points

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Adamvs

Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

High on the volcanic spine of Howell Mountain, ADAMVS shapes Cabernet with precision, under the steady hand of winemaker Alberto Bianchi, supported by the seasoned insight of Philippe Melka. The 2021 Téres is the estate at its most expressive: an elevated Cabernet that channels Howell Mountain’s raw power into something remarkably refined.

This evolution begins in the vineyard, where ADAMVS farms its estate as a fully certified Organic and Biodynamic® ecosystem. Each of the five vineyard sites contributes its own voice to the wine, shaped by iron-rich red soils and rugged hillside exposures. Rather than force uniformity, the team leans into this mosaic, allowing the diversity of clones, soils, and elevations to create a Cabernet defined by nuance rather than density.

That rich diversity of vineyard character met its ideal match in the 2021 growing season. Conditions favored small berries with concentrated flavor, vibrant acidity, and exceptional aromatic lift. In the cellar, the team preserved that energy through restrained extraction and meticulous aging. The result is a Cabernet deeply rooted in Howell Mountain power, yet carried by a brightness and refinement that lingers long after each sip.

Adamvs
Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

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“Opaque ruby-coloured core, leading to a dark ruby rim. A robust, broad-shouldered, muscular Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain. The Téres is a field blend of grapes from their 32.37ha estate. Black cherry, mulberry, and blueberry fruit frame wild herbs, toasty oak and graphite. Full-bodied with chewy dark fruit and tannins framed by palate-coating chalky minerals and nuanced by a pop of capsicum. Dried floral notes and ironstone infuse the refreshing finish. Proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams work with Philippe Melka, Alberto Bianchi, and viticulturist Michael Wolf to craft their wines.”

97 Points

2019 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Napa Valley

2019 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtMt VeederNapaOakvilleRutherfordSpring MountainSt HelenaSt. HelenaUSA

Conn Creek

Cabernet Sauvignon
Special Selection
Napa Valley 2019

2019 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Napa Valley

Conn Creek’s 2019 Special Selection delivers a commanding portrait of Napa Valley’s most grand terroirs: Rutherford, Oakville, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain, Mt. Veeder, and St. Helena, each woven together with meticulous precision. This wine serves as a sweeping symphony of the valley’s finest, where each site contributes its voice to a blend that’s layered, pedigreed, and full of vitality.

Winemaker Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant, with experience at Beaulieu, Tamber Bey, and Stag’s Leap, brings a steady hand and sharp instinct to the blend. Her 2019 Special Selection, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon with precise touches of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, showcases her gift for balancing bold structure with lifted aromatics and polish.

The 2019 Special Selection is a culmination of Conn Creek’s deep relationships with Napa’s most esteemed growers, offering a blueprint of Napa’s greatness distilled through the winery’s decades-long commitment to meticulous vineyard selection. Every bottle captures a moment in time, layered with the legacy of sites that rarely share the same label.

Conn Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon
Special Selection
Napa Valley 2019
Retails at: $150

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“The Conn Creek ‘Special Selection’ is a blend of appellations that were among the original sources of the estate (established in 1973) and from sites around Napa Valley. The idea is to frame a classically fashioned snapshot of Napa Cabernet through the eyes of Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant, who has been making the wines since 2017. Previously, she worked at Beaulieu Vineyard, Tamber Bey, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. This 2019 is over a classic vintage expression, with fruit from Mt. Veeder, Oakville, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Rutherford, Atlas Peak, and Spring Mountain AVAs. Very pretty blackberry fruit aromas, nuanced by tobacco, cedarwood, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied with tobacco-laced blackberry fruit, Bing cherry, and spiced plums, with delicious vanilla-kissed sweet oak spices and an undercurrent of mocha with fine-grained tannins and a finish of chalky minerality.”

95 Points

2021 O'Saughnessy Cabenret Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2021 O’Saughnessy Cabenret Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

O’Shaughnessy

Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2021

2021 O'Saughnessy Cabenret Sauvignon Howell Mountain

O’Shaughnessy’s 2021 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a captivating tribute to one of Napa Valley’s most revered terroirs, elegantly embodying the region’s signature intensity, striking depth, and complexity. Perched at elevations surpassing 1,500 feet, the vineyard blocks thrive amidst volcanic soils and cooler mountain temperatures, culminating in a Cabernet of extraordinary longevity and compelling presence.

Founded by visionary Betty O’Shaughnessy Woolls, the estate has steadily forged a reputation built upon the seamless union of power and finesse. The 2021 vintage exemplifies her original vision, representing the pinnacle of her pursuit to craft wines of unparalleled elegance and expressive clarity.

Under the expert guidance of acclaimed winemaker Sean Capiaux, formerly of Peter Michael Winery, the 2021 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reflects its high-altitude heritage. With impressive high-90s ratings, this wine is a distinguished addition to any cellar, promising years of graceful evolution, making now the perfect time to procure a wine that beautifully captures the essence of Howell Mountain.

O’Shaughnessy
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2021

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“Darker currants, scorched earth, iron, violets, dark chocolate, and smoked tobacco all emerge from the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain. Based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, and St. Macaire, it’s full-bodied and rich, with an iron-laced, meaty character and powerful structure. Aged two years in French oak followed by a year in bottle, this killer effort will need 4-5 years of patience and keep for two decades.”

97 Points

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

with No Comment $40-$50Howell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

Summit Lake

Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

Summit Lake Vineyards’ 2021 Estate Zinfandel weaves a compelling tale of heritage, dedication, and the distinctive terroir of Howell Mountain. Here, among ancient, head-trained Zinfandel vines nurtured by vintners Bob and Sally Brakesman, the mountain’s bold essence shines through in every vibrant sip. At this lofty elevation, lively fruit intertwines with deep, concentrated flavors, embodying the heart of this celebrated appellation.

Founded in 1971, Summit Lake Vineyards spans a scenic 28-acre estate, home to eight acres of historic Zinfandel vines—some rooted in the pre-Prohibition era. These time-honored vines, having weathered over a century of harvests, impart profound depth and character to the wine.

Howell Mountain, known for its robust and intricate reds, provides a perfect stage for Zinfandel. The 2021 vintage, crafted from a blend of heritage vines dating to 1900 and younger plantings from the early 2000s, delivers a captivating, richly layered wine. Bursting with youthful energy yet steeped in tradition, it offers a memorable expression of Howell Mountain’s iconic spirit.

Summit Lake
Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

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“The Summit Lake 2021 Howell Mountain Estate Zinfandel opens with vibrancy and fresh notes of black cherries and raspberries, complemented with Baker’s chocolate, clove, and white pepper spice. On the palate, the wine has flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, fudge brownies, cinnamon, and a specific graphite-like minerality that is typically found in Howell Mountain fruit. The wine has a smooth texture and velvety tannins that coat your mouth as the wine finishes with finesse and grace. Not even close to being overripe or jammy, this wine shows the elegant side of Zinfandel with impeccable balance.”

94 Points

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Rubia

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2019

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Rubia’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon emerges as a striking reflection of its mountain origins, deftly balancing vigor with refinement. Drawn from the lofty slopes of Howell Mountain and the untamed ridges of Calistoga, it captures the untempered energy of its rugged birthplace while unveiling a polished grace. Guided by the skilled hands of Julien Fayard, a luminary among Napa Valley’s winemakers, this wine commands the senses with its robust, mountain-born intensity, softened by a seamless elegance.

Julien Fayard’s journey lends depth to this creation. Shaped by his time at revered French estates like Château Lafite Rothschild, he carried his mastery to Napa, collaborating with Philippe Melka before stepping forward as a trailblazer in the region’s contemporary winemaking scene. His finesse shines through in this wine—a compelling blend of structure and allure, where the firm tannins of the mountains are artfully tamed.

Limited to just 130 cases, the 2019 vintage matured for nearly two years in French oak, then rested four more in the bottle, allowing its initial intensity to evolve into a refined majesty. Now approaching its finest hour, this Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a captivating harmony of power and subtlety—a wine of undeniable pedigree and exceptional value.

Rubia
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2019
Retails at: $130

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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) from Rubia is a boisterous, heady wine loaded with character and personality. A blast of inky blue/purplish fruit makes a strong first impression. Spice, rose petal, chocolate and licorice add layers of flavor to this full-throttle, resonant Cabernet Sauvignon. The full-throttle style works well here.”

94 Points

2019 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2019 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

ADAMVS

TÉRES 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain

2019 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Few wineries embody the untamed elegance of Howell Mountain with the depth and finesse of ADAMVS. Guided by the skilled hand of winemaker Alberto Bianchi and enriched by the insightful expertise of consultant Philippe Melka, ADAMVS is a pinnacle of precision, strength, and poise within one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated regions.

Set high above the valley, Howell Mountain is renowned for crafting Cabernet of extraordinary depth and intricacy. Its rugged, volcanic soils—stony and quick to drain—challenge the vines, producing small berries bursting with concentrated flavor. In 2008, Denise and Stephen Adams saw the rare promise of this terrain and founded ADAMVS across five unique vineyard blocks spanning elevations from 1,500 to 2,000 feet.

The 2019 TÉRES is a refined reflection of this distinctive estate, a carefully curated barrel selection drawn from all five soil profiles to weave a field blend of striking unity. After four years of bottle aging, it has matured into a wine of captivating power and grace. This vintage enthralled our tasting panel, unfolding with a poised interplay of lively youth and the layered complexity that signals a vibrant evolution ahead.

ADAMVS
TÉRES 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain

Your Price: $140

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“This generous and plush wine shows elegance along with brawn. A tempting aroma of red and black fruit, violets and dark chocolate leads to deep and complex raspberries, cherries, blueberries and mocha flavors as firm but polished tannins wrap them up snugly. Best from 2027.”

95 Points

2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Arkenstone

Cabernet Sauvignon
NVD Napa Valley 2021

2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

Arkenstone NVD Cabernet Sauvignon consistently ranks among our most cherished wines, with the 2018 vintage recently claiming the #1 spot on our 2023 top-ten list. From the rugged top of Howell Mountain, winemaker Sam Kaplan meticulously crafts wines that exemplify power, grace, and harmonious balance. The NVD Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, is a captivating experience—a remarkable value that seamlessly blends intensity and refinement.

The Arkenstone story began in 1988 when visionary founders, inspired by the profound character of mountain-grown grapes, established their estate on Howell Mountain. In 2006, Sam Kaplan joined the team, assuming the dual roles of winemaker and vineyard manager. With unwavering dedication, he oversees every stage of production, ensuring consistent excellence and earning critical acclaim.

The 2021 NVD Cabernet is a quintessential expression of Napa Valley’s mountain terroir. Sourced from the dramatic, volcanic slopes of Howell Mountain and select vineyards in eastern Napa Valley, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the varietal’s intense, complex character. The 2021 growing season yielded smaller, intensely flavored berries, which Sam skillfully transformed into a wine of incredible depth, richness, and sophistication—an exceptional tribute to Napa Valley’s finest vineyard sites.

Arkenstone
Cabernet Sauvignon
NVD Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $125

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“Sam Kaplan masterfully combines components from premier single vineyards—Heimark, Godward, and Amoenus—to craft this exceptional blend, aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable depth and balance. The bouquet is wonderfully rich, with aromas of crushed stones and lifted blackberry fruit. It offers a medium-to-full-bodied profile on the palate with layers of dark black cherry and blackberry, underscored by graphite and fine-grained tannins. The tannins are elongated and possess a terrific grip, delivering intensity and structure that linger for a full 60 seconds. As the finish unfolds, notes of wild herbs, spices, and a subtle hint of hay emerge, adding complexity and intrigue. This wine is a testament to Kaplan’s ability to balance power with precision, creating a blend that captures both elegance and intensity—a true standout.”

95 Points