2018 Duckhorn Howell Mountain Cabernet Napa Valley 750ml

WINE PROFILE Production Notes Varietal Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot Winemaker Notes The nose offers an explosion of dark mountain fruit with decadent aromas of raspberry-filled chocolates, black currant, mulberry and huckleberry jam, as well as more savory notes of cedar and spice. On the palate, firm mountain tannins underscore this wine’s opulence and ageability, framing the blackberry, fig and black currant flavors, with bright underlying acidity providing poise and finesse to the long, layered finish. Production The 2017 growing season began with abundant winter rains, followed by a warm, dry spring that led to a perfectly timed budbreak. In addition to replenishing the water table, the early season rains produced robust canopies, which provided invaluable shade during a week-long heat event that kicked harvest into gear during the last week of August. This was followed by a much-needed cooldown that allowed the vines to recuperate, while also giving us extra hangtime for flavor development and tannin resolution. We harvested throughout September and into early October, with the grapes showing lovely ripeness and quality, yielding plush, polished and wonderfully complex wines. WINE SPECS Vintage2017 VarietalCabernet Sauvignon AppellationHowell Mountain Acid0.57 g/100 ml pH3.69 AgingAged a total of 24 months 18 months in new French oak followed by 6 months in neutral barrels Alcohol %14.5