Highlands Winery uses Howell Mountain Cabernet as the basis for their Napa Valley Cabernet. Our WineHeist customers already know about our enthusiasm for mountain grown Cabernet, with its structure and tannin, and Howell Mountain was one of the earliest high altitude areas to have viticultural success, with award winning wines dating back to the 19th Century. Today’s offering shows a great balance between the extremes of mountain and valley cabernet, with a lovely combination of mountain toughness and valley lushness.
Deep ruby in color, the 2006 Highlands Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a classically elegant Cabernet nose of violets, crème de cassis and white pepper. The palate is floral as well, with hints of violets, lots of fresh Bing cherry, and Cab’s signature touch of green pepper. Howell Mountain is known for higher acid wines, thanks to cooler average temperatures, and this wine is no exception. As is often the case, this acidity helps lengthen the finish, giving this wine nice persistence.
Mountain vineyards are always difficult to farm, and when those vineyards are planted to Cabernet, and located in Napa, you know that production costs are incredibly high, which is why it is so hard to find good mountain Cab from Napa at a reasonable price. We are thrilled to have been able to snag some Highlands Cabernet at a great discount that we can pass on to our customers; don’t miss out on the chance to taste one of California’s most unique styles of wine, at a great price!
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, chopped mint leaves, while the palate unfolds with rich tannin, juicy acidity, and flavors of cherry gastrique, berry coulis, herb mélange, and licorice.
98 Points
Deep purple hue and an alluring aromatic profile of fresh blue fruits and delicate violets. On the palate, it delivers a seamless and layered texture, framed by supple, polished tannins and a refined sense of balance. Elegantly structured, it offers remarkable purity and finesse, finishing with graceful length and poise.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
94 Points
Deep red-purple with aromas of black currents, blackberry, plum, chocolate, earthy forest floor, licorice, graphite, and subtle floral notes of violet, spice and cracked pepper. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry fruit with notes of earth, firm acid and silky tannins. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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