Duckhorn Howell Mountain Red 2012 | Collector Cabernet Blend

90WS | Deep, intense and well-structured, sharply focused on a tight-knit mix of gravelly earth, blackberry, and wild berry notes.  In addition with touches of anise, licorice, dried herb, and underbrush flavors, this ends with a burst of ripe fruit and dusty, fine-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Drink Duckhorn Howell Mountain Red 2012 now through 2030.

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Duckhorn Howell Mountain Red 2012 presents a Deep purple in color. Explosive aromas of blackberry, red currant and dark chocolate. First of all richly textured and beautifully structured.  Of course, this voluptuous wine is packed with a robust core of crushed black fruits, dried herbs and graphite, so typical of the vintage. While the finish is a firm reprise of black and red fruit aromas that reveal wild berry character.   Finally after a good decant, those sneaky mountain tannins begin to capture center stage.

Winemaker Renée Ary

Duckhorn, whose Howell Mountain Cabernets have helped make the area’s reputation, has had an all-star list of winemakers take their stab at Howell’s thick-skinned, deeply concentrated mountain fruit. Following founding winemaker, Tom Rinaldi was Mark Beringer and Bill Nancarrow. Now it’s Renée Ary’s turn.

As only the fourth winemaker in the four-decade history of Duckhorn Vineyards, it’s a special feeling knowing that I am part of the ongoing story of one of Napa Valley’s great wineries. I love making something wonderful that can be shared with friends and family.

Candlestick Ridge & Stout Vineyards | Extraordinary 2012 Howell Mountain Vintage

In 2012 — a vintage that was one of the most extraordinary in even Howell Mountain’s storied history, celebrated as “near perfect,” a “watershed,” “absolutely hedonistic.  As a result, Ary had her pick of mountaintop jewels of fruit. While basking in the Napa sun off two of the oldest and most revered sites on Howell Mountain.

The first is Candlestick Ridge Vineyard, which at 2,100 feet in elevation is one of the highest on Howell Mountain. The other is the 43-acre Stout Vineyard near Randy Dunn’s property, which has provided fruit to Duckhorn since 1982. When blended together, these two sites furnish the “big-shouldered” fruit and “dusty, fine-grained tannins” the critics so admire in this wine.  Hence making for a terrifically age-worthy red blend.