2015 Arcudi Black Sears Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Arcudi wines are made by Tony Arcudi. An Italian-American from Boston who worked in computer-related fields – including aboard U.S. Navy submarines – Arcudi’s interest in food and cooking led to part-time cooking jobs in high school, and later to an interest in wine. After his service in the U.S. Navy he tried making wine in his basement, but eventually moved to California to study winemaking at U.C. Davis. He worked in the Rhone Valley before returning to Napa and working as assistant winemaker at Nickel & Nickel. But Arcudi wanted to make his own wine, and his debut release was a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Black Sears Vineyard on Howell Mountain. The wine is generally available only through a mailing list. Vinous rated the 2012 Arcudi at 93-95 pts and called it “a superb first effort from Tony Arcudi.”

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.