CADE Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The CADE 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.
Varietal Composition: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot 4% Malbec 4% Petit Verdot
Elaboration: The majority of the fermentations went through a short maceration time between 9 and 12 days and hot fermentation temperatures, peaking at 92°F. The must was pressed off at between 5°-0º Brix and fermentation was allowed to finish in tank or barrel.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. We use several different coopers for the Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon including Sylvain, Nadalie, Darnajou, Ana Selection, Quintessence, Orion, Bel Air, Seguin Moreau, Mercier, Tonnellerie O, Doreau, Mercurey, D’Aquitaine, Cavin, Allary, Atelier, Jarnac, Ermitage, Taransaud, and Dargaud et Jaegle.
Tasting Notes: A potpourri of aromas explode from the glass with notes of raspberry coulis, black cherry, cedar, coco nib, boysenberry, mint, graham cracker, and a hint of lavender, rose and bay. The palette follows with bright flavors of red cherry and strawberry jam before tertiary elements of coffee, dark chocolate, licorice, and fresh plums take over. This wine is full-bodied displaying archetypal Howell Mountain tannin balanced by an elegant structure.
PRESS
2016 – 93 James Suckling | 96+ Wine Advocate | 97 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 – 92 Vinous | 94 Wine Advocate | 96 Jeb Dunnuck
2018 – 90+ Wine Advocate | 93 Wine Spectator | 95 Vinous | 95 Jeb Dunnuck
2019 – 95 Vinous | 95 Jeb Dunnuck | 94+ Wine Advocate | 93 Wine Spectator
2021 – 93 Jeb Dunnuck
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Environmental responsibility is the guiding philosophy at CADE, a name taken from Shakespeare who used it to describe wine casks, or cades, shipped from Bordeaux to England during Elizabethan times. CADE is part of the PlumpJack Wines group founded by Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, and General Manager, John Conover. The winery practices sustainable farming under the supervision of winemaker Danielle Cyrot to honor the land and the vision of the founders.
Beautiful Howell Mountain was designated Napa Valley’s first AVA in 1983 due to its prime growing conditions. CADE’s first vines were planted on the mountain in 2003. Fruit is estate-grown high above the fog line at elevations between 1,500 and 1,850 feet. The entire property covers 54 acres, 21 of which are planted with more than 37,000 vines. The rest of the estate has been placed in a land trust to forever remain as open space.