CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Production:
644 Barrels

Varietals:
87% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Merlot
4% Malbec
4% Petit Verdot

VINEYARD NOTES
The CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from five vineyards on Howell Mountain, including the CADE Estate Vineyard, CADE 13th Vineyard, Ink Grade Vineyard, Cold Springs, and Eagle Summit. The memorable 2017 vintage started on September 12th, with fruit from the Ink Grade Vineyard and finished on November 2nd with fruit from 13th Vineyard.

FERMENTATION
The majority of the fermentations went through a very short maceration time between 4 and 6 days and hot fermentation temperatures, peaking at 92°F. The must was pressed off at between 20°-12º Brix and fermentation was allowed to finish in tank or barrel. The resulting wines have amazing color and big intensity.

ÉLEVAGE
The wine received 19 months barrel aging in 100% French oak (75% new). Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel immediately after primary fermentation. The wine was racked quarterly once malolactic fermentation was complete.

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck – “Coming from estate fruit on Howell Mountain and made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate offers a darker, more mineral-driven style compared to the Napa release. It has beautiful blackcurrant, cassis, forest floor, graphite, and tobacco leaf-like aromas and flavors. Deep, full-bodied, beautifully polished and elegant, it’s another remarkable effort from this team. As Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon goes, it’s a brilliant value!” (96 Pts)

Wine Advocate – “The 2017 CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple colored and a little closed, slowly giving up warm cassis, blackberry tart and mulberries with touches of spice box, pencil shavings and Marmite toast. The full-bodied palate is firm, grainy and muscular with an earthy expression and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.” (94 Pts)

Wine Spectator – “This is a ripe and strapping young red, packed with dark currant and fig paste flavors carried by strident and sleek structure. A great, piercing graphite edge comes in on the finish, along with licorice snap and tar accents. Textbook Howell Mountain Cab, built for cellaring.” (93 Pts)

Vinous – “The 2017 CADE Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense, chewy Howell Mountain wine. A blast of black cherry, plum, licorice, smoke, leather, bittersweet chocolate, spice and tobacco hit the palate. The 2017 is bold and immediate in feel, but it also has plenty of structure. I would give it a few years to soften but this is a potent, brooding wine with a bright future.” (92 Pts)