Wine on the Radio - September 15, 2003

Howell Mountain Cabs               Recommendations

Did you know that some of Napa Valley's best wine doesn't come from the valley?   That may be confusing . . . but you can't have a valley without some hills!  

These great Napa Valley wines actually come from the mountains that form the valley.   Mount Veeder is in the western hills that divide Napa from Sonoma.   It's known mostly for Cabernet and Chardonnay.  

On the East side is Howell Mountain.   Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be big, bold and pretty complex.   Mountain grapes can get more concentrated because they bask in the morning sun while their cousins on the valley floor snooze under the morning fog.  

Howell Mountain wines have been particularly distinguished.  On the label look for both Napa Valley and Howell Mountain.  

These are beef lover's wines!   A juicy steak and a Howell Mountain Cab - yum!  

They drink now but soften up and improve with a few years in the bottle.  

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Napa Cabs including some from Howell Mountain . . . Prices Approximate

$25 or less

Franciscan 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
This powerful Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Napa Valley's Oakville Region

Merryvale 2000 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
This wine is made from lots selected for their complexity of flavors and supple tannins

Robert Mondavi 1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
The complexity of flavors and exceptional elegance of our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the diversity of outstanding terroirs of Napa Valley

Chappellet 2000 Mountain Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
The nose opens with sweet, dark fruit aromas rounded out with a hint of vanilla and oak

$25 - $50

Burgess 1999 Vintage Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
The 1999 vintage was harvested a few days later than normal because of a cool summer. However, the conditions were ideal and the fruit maturity levels were textbook. The aroma and flavor the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon are truly an extension of the vineyard and display the Estate-grown complexity our vineyard is known for

Cakebread 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
This 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of cedar wood and blackberry fruit. On entry, the flavors are full with subtle notes of black licorice, spice and pepper

Grgich Hills 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Our 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon has typical Cabernet aromas and a long, lingering aftertaste, coating your tongue with a gentle layer of soft tannins (sometimes called "Rutherford dust") and mouth-filling flavors of currant, blackberry, spice and chocolate to prolong your enjoyment

Hess 1999 Collection Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Dark garnet red, with an aroma of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and cassis. Second layer is nutmeg, leather, toast and vanilla beans. Flavor: Blackberries, plums, and allspice

$50 - $100

St. Clement 1999 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemakers Comments
On the nose, this wine leads with aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry and cherry, with hints of cranberry, leather and tobacco. Notes of orange zest and cranberry are telltale descriptors that this wine comes from Howell Mountain

Goosecross Cellars 1999 Howell Mountain Cabernet

Winemaker Notes
This Cabernet from one of Napa Valley's most prestigious mountain top appellations is well rounded with an elegant nose of blackberries, ripe cherries, pomegranate and a whisper of vanilla

1997 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep blue/red fading to red. Immature, brooding nose with stewed black fruits, wood smoke, tar and spicy oak aromas. Full bodied

1999 Howell Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
1999 was a long, cool growing season that finished with a warm, dry harvest

Beaulieu - BV 1999 George de Latour Private Reserve
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Dark ruby-violet in color, the 1999 Georges de Latour demonstrates the benefits of judicious green-harvesting during a difficult vintage. Strongly aromatic, the wine reveals classic Rutherford scents of black-cherry, mineral, green and black peppercorn with anise

Caymus 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Classic Napa Cabernet!

$100

Robert Mondavi 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Number 12 on Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines of 2002! The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is selected from their finest Napa Valley vineyards, sites that yield complex, long-lived wines

Beringer 1997 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Notes
Vintage 1997 has already been recognized as exceptional within a decade of outstanding vintages, producing wines of deep concentration and rich tannins that promise longevity