2010 Aloft Cabernet Sauvignon

Aloft is a Howell Mountain estate with a notable pedigree. Its founder is Marc Mondavi, son of Peter Mondavi, the long-time patriarch of Charles Krug. The late Robert Mondavi was Marc’s uncle. Marc still runs Charles Krug with his brother Peter Jr. But in 2004 Marc bought a 60-acre parcel off of Cold Springs Road in Angwin, convinced that the 1,660-foot vineyards and terroir were ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. He hired veteran vineyard manager Jim Barbour to tend to the 21-acres of vineyards, and he hired Thomas Rivers Brown – a Napa Valley winemaking star – to make the wine. The debut release was the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate makes just one wine, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.