Arkenstone Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
(Napa Valley, California) - [TWI 95] [WA 94] [DM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:
The Estate Red blend (formerly known as Obsidian) consists entirely of fruit from the winery's Howell Mountain Estate ranging from 1400’ to 1650’ on the western shoulder of the mountain. Each year the blend is comprised of the top performing blocks from 16 of their 22 blocks dedicated to the Estate Cab Blend. As the grapes come in, all lots are kept separate to ferment and age individually. Once the wines have aged about 11 months in barrel by lot they are blended and returned to barrel for an additional 11 months and then into bottle for an additional year before release. Each year the blend is comprised of the top-performing blocks, carefully tended by winemaker Sam Kaplan.

Details:
100% from organically farmed Howell Mountain Estate
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2020 Arkenstone Estate Red Blend only used fruit picked between the18th and 25th September, which was before the Glass fire. Due to this it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time. The winery is underground so it protected the harvest that had already come in. It is deep garnet-purple in color and sashays out with classic notes of cassis, plum preserves, and cedar, with hints of wild sage, tar, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is firm and chewy with muscular black fruits and a long earthy finish." – LBP (Apr 2023)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"There are just 100 cases of Arkenstone's 2020 Howell Mountain Estate Red Blend, which was harvested between September 12 and 26. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small proportions of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, it offers up slightly angular notions of pine pitch, peppery spice and mint, set against ripe black cherries, mocha and dark chocolate. It's full-bodied, ripe and concentrated without being overdone, finishing long and velvety." – Joe Czerwinski (Jun 2023)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Winemaker Sam Kaplan has produced a bold, voluptuous, red-and-black-fruited Cabernet from Howell Mountain. Expressive boysenberry fruit dusted with allspice is tinged with chocolate, cedarwood, and roasted coffee beans. Full-bodied with rich, succulent dark berry fruit, blackberry compote, a tapestry of featherweight tannins coated in molten dark chocolate notes and a rush of pulverised granitic rock minerality on the finish. Utterly intriguing, growing in volume and complexity with air." – Jonathan Cristaldi (Jun 2023)