2020 Robert Craig Cellars Howell Mountain Cuvee
2020 Robert Craig Cellars Howell Mountain Cuvee A higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon has found its way into this wine that is dark, deep, nuanced and supple. Sourced from vines on our Candlestick Ridge Vineyard the 2020 HMC displays immediate Howell Mountain power in the glass with lavender, thorny fruits and mineral at the fore. Without doubt, it’s a slightly more serious wine than the 2018 wine released last year with a long life ahead in the cellar, though it will taste great if opened immediately after receiving it on your doorstep. Winemaker
“It is our pleasure to offer a limited production of the greatest $50 wine to ever be released in the Napa Valley: the 2020 Howell Mountain Cuvée (HMC). HMC is a predominately Cabernet blend that includes Merlot and Malbec from vines on the Candlestick Vineyard at the top of Howell Mountain. This wine spent a little less time in new barrels than our $110/bottle Howell Mountain Cabernet, and is being released earlier, but it has markedly similar quality and pedigree.” Winery
This is a throwback price on a great wine. This wine is a serious over-achiever, superbly rich, glorious concentration and drinks like its double to triple the price. Robert Craig is one of the Pioneers of Napa and is one of my all-time favorite producers. He is called the King Of Mountain Napa Cabs. He is an expert on mountain and hillside vineyards and making some of the finest in Napa. The man literally invented the appellation of Mt Veeder. He has been making these wines for 40 years and was the key driver for the approval of the Mount Veeder appellation in 1990.
In 2015 Robert Craig purchased the Candlestick Vineyard on Howell Mountain and the result is this spectacular single vineyard Cabernet based blend from the excellent 2020 vintage, a definite buy year in Napa. The wine was originally meant to be released at $70 a bottle. Because of Covid and many restaurants cutting back, the price was dropped. Today you can have the wine, the Robert Craig Cellars Howell Mountain Cuvee 2020 for $36.99 down from $42.99 and Free Case Shipping. This wine is an absolute steal, a savings of 43% and Vinous comments that no other wine from Howell Mountain comes close at this price point. This is one of the best opportunities I have seen this year and demand will be high.