2016 Black Cordon Vineyards The Howell Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Black Cordon Vineyards’ debut vintage was a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, though winery founders David and Karen Murphy had been dreaming of winemaking in Napa Valley for 30 years. Though the couple is from Minnesota, they’d been visiting Napa regularly and purchased their first Napa acreage in 2004. Today they own 15 vineyard acres in small sites in Mt. Veeder, the Oak Knoll District, and Howell Mountain. Paull Hobbs made the first vintages, and he remains in charge of winemaking. Black Cordon produces a limited amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Robert M. Parker Jr. rated a recent Black Cordon reserve cru at 98 pts and called it “absolutely fabulous wine.”

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.