2012 Duckhorn Vineyards Red Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 750 ml

An 1880 Howell Mountain Prediction Coming True

In the now-yellowed pages of the St. Helena Star, you can find an 1880 story making the case that Howell Mountain “would be to California what Médoc is to France.” Nothing has changed in the intervening 136 years to convince us otherwise — especially in the acclaimed 2012 vintage.

East of St. Helena, ranging across steep slope 1,600 to 2,000 feet above sea level, Howell Mountain vineyards are some of the toughest to work with, and some of the most rewarding for truly skilled hands. Harsh volcanic and clay soils, sunlight undimmed by maritime fog that often fails to reach the peaks, scarce water — it’s a testament to the talents of people like Duckhorn’s founding winemaker Tom Rinaldi, and his successors Mark Beringer and Bill Nancarrow, that the “Howell Mountain” name has become so synonymous with quality.

The latest Duckhorn winemaker to have the opportunity to contend with the challenges and opportunities presented by Howell Mountain fruit is Renée Ary, who took the reins after managing day-to-day operations for several years. She was lucky enough to work with fruit drawn from two of the oldest and most revered sites on Howell Mountain in 2012 — a vintage that was one of the most extraordinary in even Howell Mountain’s storied history.

Duckhorn has been working with fruit off the 43-acre Stout Vineyard since 1982. After the 1998 passing of friend and partner Frank Stout, Duckhorn bought this jewel adjacent to Randy Dunn’s property. Candlestick Ridge Vineyard is among Howell Mountain’s highest, 2,100 feet in elevation and surrounded by lush green acres. The tightly spaced vines were inspired by the Port terraces of Portugal’s Douro Valley.

In 2012, these mountaintop jewels shone in the Napa sun like never before. Robert Parker famously challenged buyers to find an unimpressive 2012, and you won’t find one off Howell Mountain! Harvest in Duckhorn’s Howell Mountain heights was two to three weeks later than normal. Extended hang time thanks to steady temperatures without heat spikes, and ideal skin-to-juice ratios, all contributed to a stunning vintage for Duckhorn. The decision to let this Bordeaux blend rest in bottle a year longer than their other wines paid extra dividends with such perfect components.

Phenomenally concentrated, masculine and muscular, the Duckhorn Howell Mountain Red Wine boasts a deep blackberry core compliments of Candlestick Cabernet Sauvignon, while the tiny-berry Stout Vineyard fruit furnishes the broad shoulders and terrifically age-worthy backbone. A classic Bordeaux blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot — all sourced from prime parcels atop Howell Mountain.

The critics haven’t yet weighed in on this one, and we don’t recommend waiting for their raves to send prices skyward. Just 500 bottles are up for grabs at $89/bottle today, or $99 next week on Duckhorn’s website if you forget to hit the “BUY” button today. And after Parker, Galloni, et al, weigh in? We don’t recommend you wait to find out.