“Delivers the goods, big time.”

Cellar Stocker number TWO in the house!

Robert Craig is back! Just in time for this EPIC Napa take over. We’re staying on Howell Mountain and dialing it up to 11.

When Elton Slone isn’t crushing watts on the trails around Mt. Tam (ahem…invite please if you’re reading this!!) he’s hosting tastings 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 (stay tuned… hint hint….).

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. If you’re among the unwashed who have yet to experience the Craig, this is your ticket to ride.

All solid critic scores on this one too! 96 points from Decanter, 94 from Wine Advocate and 97 points from Vinous with a simply perfect quote, “Superb.” Hard to get better than that!

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.

97 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is another stellar wine from Robert Craig. Bright and incisive, with tons of energy, the Howell Mountain Cabernet delivers the goods, big time. A rush of inky red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, menthol, spice and crushed rocks build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that dazzles. This deep, vivid Cabernet hits all the right notes. Superb.”

96 Points – Decanter “From a 0.44ha vineyard of well-draining alluvial soils. Aged in 100% new French oak for 21 months, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Richly scented with dark fruit, loamy soil, vivid violet and rose petal notes and coffee beans. Decadent mountain blueberry and mulberry fruit, with mineral underpinnings and chocolaty tannins that are firm, long and muscular. Nicely integrated with pops of wild herbs on the finish. A deliciously pleasing wine. Just six barrels produced.”

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “A blend of two vineyard sites, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an assemblage of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Matured 18 month in French oak, it’s cedary, but those shadings are balanced by attractive sage nuances set against a backdrop of ripe blueberries and cherries. Full-bodied, rich, velvety and long, it’s the real deal.”