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Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
RUTHERFORD
ABOUT
As our name suggests, the personality of Provenance Vineyards is unveiled in Napa Valley vineyards of distinct origin, representing the highest fruit quality in the region.
PROFILE
The 2022 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the traditional characteristics of its Napa Valley origin with intense blackberry, cassis and plum notes framed by dynamic, mouth-coating tannins. Hints of bay laurel, bittersweet chocolate, earthy forest-loam and dried rose petal further speak to its sourcing from grapes grown in iron-laden, red volcanic loam soils high up on Howell Mountain. This rich, powerful wine will maintain its integritry and continue to improve for the next decade of bottle aging. If served in its youth, we recommend decanting to enjoy the full range of flavors in this powerful red wine.
VINEYARD Selection
We sourced 90 percent of the grapes from a small Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard planted to several different clones in 1994 on the Howell Mountain plateau. Here, at 1,700 feet, the vines begin spring budbreak later because of cooler temperatures, but the grapes have longer hours of solar radiation—being above the fog-line—for ripening. Howell Mountain—part of the volcanic Vaca Range on the northeastern side of Napa Valley—has such unique soils and mesoclimates that it was designated the first official sub-appellation of Napa Valley in 1983.
WINEMAKING
The hand-harvested grapes were lightly crushed and then the must was cold soaked for gentle extraction before fermentation began. A portion of the wine was entirely fermented in small French oak barrels for enhanced integration of oak character, with the balance in stainless-steel tanks. To soften tannins, we allowed the wine to ferment slightly warmer (90 degrees Fahrenheit) than usual. Four rackings naturally clarified the wine and it was bottled without fining.
92
POINTS
2022 Vintage
James Suckling
“A fragrant and full-bodied red that has violets, coffee, vanilla beans, oranges and blackcurrants on the nose, followed by a ripe and spicy palate. Toasty, medium-firm tannins. Mouth-filling. Try from 2025."
James Suckling, November 2024
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