Winery
of the Week: Howell Mountain Vineyards - Napa Valley
In
1988, Mike Beatty started Howell Mountain Vineyards to focus
on producing quality wines "in the field," with minimal
intervention winemaking, in order to showcase the unique characteristics
of the distinctive appellation. That philosophy hasn't changed
over the years and with winemaker Bryan Kane overseeing the
process now, Howell Mountain Vineyards keeps producing world-class
wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley,
Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
Blackberries and cherries play with aromas of lavender
and earth on the nose. Cocoa tannins frame flavors of
bramble berry, cherry, and dark plum, along with accents
of coffee and perfumed earth on the palate. Fruity and
floral notes are in harmony, making this a good wine for
lamb stew. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2014 Petite Verdot
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Petite Verdot
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley,
Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
Blackberries and cherries play with aromas of lavender
and earth on the nose. Cocoa tannins frame flavors of
bramble berry, cherry, and dark plum, along with accents
of coffee and perfumed earth on the palate. Fruity and
floral notes are in harmony, making this a good wine for
lamb stew. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2014 Beatly Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley,
Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 120-125
Review:
Lovely notes of cassis, blackberries, and boysenberries
interweave with nuances of dark chocolate, cinnamon, and
licorice on the nose. Cocoa tannins frame flavors of bramble
berry, currant, and black cherry, which move into chocolate,
baking spice, and toasty oak hints on the palate. Fine
balance and depth make this a wine to enjoy with a juicy
steak now or to cellar away for five years. 200 cases
were made. 200 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2015 "Old Vine" Zinfandel
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley,
Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of raspberries, blackberries, black pepper,
and all-spice rises up from a glass. Blackberry and raspberry
flavors come up front on the palate and unfold into highlights
of pepper, brown spice, and vanilla. Offering refined
tannins and a nice acidity, this Zin will match up well
with any gourmet BBQ dish. 500 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
 |
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2015 Beatly Ranch Zinfandel
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley,
Ca
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
The nose presences with aromas of blackberries and black
cherries, alongside suggestions of vanilla, brown spice,
and white pepper. On the palate, flavors of bramble berry
and cherry play with notes of all-spice, white pepper,
and licorice. Good structure and nice layers of flavor
make this a fine example of Napa Zin. 150 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
Winery
of the Week: Howell Mountain Vineyards - Napa Valley 02
Winery
of the Week: Howell Mountain Vineyards - Napa Valley 01
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|
