2004 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
About This Wine:
The Atlas Peak Mountain Series are limited production wines that showcase the best of the prestigious Napa Valley Mountains: Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain District. The grapes growing at high elevation, and above the natural fog line, experience lower daytime temperatures than those on the valley floor, allowing the grapes to stay cool while gaining maximum sun exposure. Mountain top vineyards have poorer soils, allowing better drainage, thereby producing smaller berries with more skin to juice. These wines are handcrafted by our winemaker to make more intense, more structured and age worthy wines.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2004 growing season got off to a slow start, with unusually late bud break in our mountain vineyards. By Memorial Day weekend, the weather had warmed up and we were off and running, slowly catching up to the valley floor vineyards. The vines mature slowly in the Napa Mountains where the daytime temperatures are often in the mid-80’s. In early June the weather stayed cool, but later in the month temperatures warmed and most of July was perfect for grape growing. In August we saw cool nights and moderately warm days and the grapes seemed to turn color overnight as our vineyards above the fog line caught up to those on the valley floor. The vines developed a balanced crop load of grapes with excellent tannin development. We hand-harvested the Howell Mountain grapes on October 14th and the Atlas Peak grapes on October 22nd at 25.0 Brix.
WINEMAKING
The wine went through primary fermentation at 85º in 100% stainless steel followed by full malolactic fermentation. It was then racked into 100% new, 60-gallon French oak barrels, where it spent 20 months before bottling. An extended maceration period of 38 days bestowed the wine with brilliant color, tannin and substance.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2004 growing season got off to a slow start, with unusually late bud break in our mountain vineyards. By Memorial Day weekend, the weather had warmed up and we were off and running, slowly catching up to the valley floor vineyards. The vines mature slowly in the Napa Mountains where the daytime temperatures are often in the mid-80’s. In early June the weather stayed cool, but later in the month temperatures warmed and most of July was perfect for grape growing. In August we saw cool nights and moderately warm days and the grapes seemed to turn color overnight as our vineyards above the fog line caught up to those on the valley floor. The vines developed a balanced crop load of grapes with excellent tannin development. We hand-harvested the Howell Mountain grapes on October 14th and the Atlas Peak grapes on October 22nd at 25.0 Brix.
WINEMAKING
The wine went through primary fermentation at 85º in 100% stainless steel followed by full malolactic fermentation. It was then racked into 100% new, 60-gallon French oak barrels, where it spent 20 months before bottling. An extended maceration period of 38 days bestowed the wine with brilliant color, tannin and substance.
Wine Profile:
| Vintage: | 2004 |
| Wine Type: | Red Wine |
| Varietal: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation: | Howell Mountain |
| Acid: | 5.8 |
| PH: | 3.46 |
| Bottling Date: | August 2006 |
| Alcohol %: | 13.9 |
| WERating: | 92 |
Winemaker Notes:
The 2004 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon holds true to site with its impressive balance and deep coloring. The aromas are a combination of ripe dark fruits. Powerful fruit flavors create a long, lingering finish of rich blueberry on the palate leaving the mouthfeel of firm velvet and generous, but not harsh, tannins. This 2004 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is well suited for lamb steaks with Greek-inspired tomato sauce.
Production:
477 cases produced
Other Notes:
98.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.4% Petit Verdot
