2014 was an early harvest vintage for the Napa Valley as a whole and Howell Mountain especially. We started picking in late September and finished by the middle of October -early for us. The crop yield was great, and the even temperatures allowed us to harvest our estate-grown fruit at the ideal ripeness, producing wines both layered and balanced.

Expressive and complex, with notes of plum and blackberry, with great depth and a supple finish, our 2014 estate-grown Merlot greets you with whiffs of pepper, crushed herbs and cherry, and our ever-present plum. It follows with crushed berries, and the mouthfeel is rich, supported by well-integrated tannins and a hint of earthiness. The palate echoes the plum, with raspberry and hints of cedar, and minerality from the estate Cabernet Franc blended in. This wine will age well for up to 10 years but is enjoyable now with an hour of decanting.