Palate
Our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon has deep berry aromas and flavors accented by notes of anise and bittersweet chocolate. Classic, full-on Howell Mountain texture supports this wine right through the lengthy finish and will allow it to age for decades in the bottle.
Growing Conditions
The 2012 growing season was near perfect, with ideal spring budbreak and warm, steady days balanced by cool nights. The steady weather continued into the fall, resulting in optimal ripening conditions at harvest.
Winemaking
We hand-harvested grapes into small, 30-pound boxes to prevent crushing, and then we brought them to the winery for hand-sorting. After destemming and light crushing, the must was cold-soaked for gentle color, flavor and tannin extraction. Winemaker Chris Carpenter fermented the juice with native yeast in a combination of open- and closed-top stainless steel tanks. Following gentle basket press, the wine underwent in-barrel malolactic fermentation, rounding the acidity and integrating the vanilla character of French oak (89% new).
Aging
20 months in French oak (89% new)
