2014 Karo Kann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 750 ml

2014 was a “dream” vintage in Napa Valley, and nowhere was it more awe-inspiring than on Howell Mountain, which produced a mind-boggling array of impressive black-fruit powerhouses: No fewer than 17 wines were rated 95 points or above by Robert Parker, including Outpost’s 100-point “True Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 Karo Kann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley hails from one of the greatest sites on the mountain—one we are obligated to keep hush-hush, but that happened to turn out some truly impeccable fruit that shines through in every sip of this deep and dark mountain beauty. Tons of dark fruit, well-integrated oak, and finely woven tannins make this a Cabernet that stands tall among Howell Mountain’s best, and will be a welcome addition to any California Cab-lover’s cellar.

So how did we end up with a handful of select barrels of brilliantly complex mountain Cab from Wine Spectator’s “dream” vintage? While yields may have been down from the bumper crops of 2012 and 2013, the 2014 vintage saw a booming harvest. Wineries were already stuffed to the gills and there was simply too much Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produced for wineries to sell it all—especially after Parker’s barrage of 95-pointers sent prices soaring.

A single, discreet call was made offering Wine Access first dibs on some outstanding Cabernet. Suffice it to say, the winery wouldn’t have to make another. We put cash on those barrels, then commissioned one of the most respected enologists in the valley (previously of Jordan and Peter Michael) to oversee racking, filtering, and bottling. The results were nothing short of incredible: A 2014 mountain Cabernet that stands with the stars of the vintage.

On the eastern face of Howell Mountain is a site that was first planted as far back as the late 19th century, after some of the region’s viticultural pioneers recognized it for its unique microclimate. The parcel’s volcanic soils provide a naturally stressful environment for Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in thick-skinned, immensely concentrated, complex, and BB-sized berries. The vineyard’s elevation above the fog line is equally crucial, allowing for a slow, prolonged ripening period, and thus a purity of fruit almost impossible to achieve on the valley floor.