2019 Arkenstone Estate Red Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

Winemaker Notes: Arkenstone, on Howell Mountain, was named after Tokien’s ‘diamond at the heart of the mountain’. Ron and Susan Krausz discovered the property in 1984. They chose to become a true estate, planting their vineyards in 1988 and completing the winery in 2008.

Ruby red with deep black undertones, this dense yet elegantly focused beauty is a very special expression of the Howell Mountain terroir, and the beautiful 2015 vintage. Cassis, violet, mocha, graphite, and dried tea leaves greet the nose, along with our signature earth, sweet tobacco, and leather. A clean minerality and bright acidity are complemented by dark black cherry, star anise and mocha on the front palate while deep espresso, blackberry cobbler, blueberries, lavender and baking spices roundly fill the mid-palate. Very fine, lush tannins hold the richly dark chocolate, cassis-laden, long velvety finish. This wine is drinking beautifully balanced and youthfully vibrant right now, but will easily lie down for 30+ years.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Jeb Dunnuck - "The 2019 Estate Red is another magical wine from winemaker Sam Kaplan. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Malbec, all from the estate on Howell Mountain, it offers up a dense purple hue to go with stunningly pure cassis and darker currant fruits, full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a complex, nuanced style in its leafy herbs, flowers, scorched earth, and classy oak aromas and flavors. It’s brilliant any way you look at it. Hide bottles for 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following three decades."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2019 Howell Mountain Estate Red Blend is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with bold notions of crème de cassis, baked black plums and tilled soil, plus hints of bay leaves, charcoal and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, rich and layered in the mouth, it has lots of earthy and savory nuances with a firm and grainy texture, finishing on a lingering black truffle note. Rating: 97+"


Wine Enthusiast - "This mountain grown blend of Bordeaux varieties, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, offers power with polish. Massive but fine-grained tannins saturate a rich palate of black currants, blueberries and dark chocolate, giving the structure for aging. While tempting now for its suave texture and rich flavors, the wine will gain even more complexity and smoothness from 2028-2040. Cellar Selection"