Mission Codename "Where there is love there is life." - Gandhi
Can you feel it?
LOVE is in the air! We have a very special gift for you today and you MUST use coupon code LOVE to get an extra 20% OFF. Don’t you LOVE that?
Robert Craig is back! The venerable Howell Mountain Cabernet has landed.
94 points from the fickle Vinous! Best bargain on Mother Earth!
When Elton Slone isn’t crushing rides on Mt. Tam (ahem…invite please if you’re reading this!!) he’s apparently scrubbing toilets and making some kick-ass wine up on Howell Mountain.
True insiders know Robert Craig crushes it. If there was a King of the Mountain Cabernet award, Robert Craig would be a front-runner. From their winery at the very top of Howell Mountain (2,300 feet to be exact) they have been cranking out blockbuster wines since the early 90s, focusing almost exclusively on hillside and mountain fruit sourced from their estate vineyard and also from Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain, and Spring Mountain. They have a rabid following, a devoted family of fans who scoop their releases year in, year out. So, we were beyond THRILLED to get our hands on ANYTHING from them.
This is BIG, dusty, mineral-laden, and packed with dark black fruit. Crushed blackberries, melted black licorice, spice rub, and toasty oak emerge from a deep slumber once you give this some air. If you can wait a year or three, all the better, as it will only improve and unwind. For the fearless, prepare a hefty chunk of red meat to complete the experience.
Robert Parker has the final word: “Robert Craig is still one of the most consistent wineries in terms of quality and keeping pricing within realistic levels, not something frequently seen in Napa Valley.”
We have but a few cases to share, and this one will FLY.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you beautiful Ops!! Remember, at checkout, LOVE.
94 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“A powerful, driving wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is loaded with character. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, lavender and spice emerge, but only with great reluctance. Readers will have to be patient here. The Howell Mountain Cabernet emerges from Robert Craig’s Summit Lake estate vineyard. Drink 2025-2038.”
What the Winery Says
2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Jason Price
- Varietals
- 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 1% Merlot
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 14.7%
- Appellation
- Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Robert Craig Estate Vineyard
- Total acidity
- 5.9g/L
- pH
- 3.71
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 65% new French oak