Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2018

This Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Ink Grade Estate vineyard, set in the north-east corner of the Howell Mountain AVA, within California's Napa Valley. Planted on terraces on steep slopes, the vines overlook the valley and are rooted in volcanic tuff soils. The cuvée comes from the estate's highest plots, a mountain environment that favours concentration, freshness and mineral expression.

The grapes from the high-altitude plots are carefully selected and vinified gently to preserve precision of fruit and a sense of place. Ageing takes place first for 8 months in oak vats, then for 24 months in barrel, 85% of it new oak. The use of large vessels and a controlled proportion of oak aims to retain the tension and radiance of Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, blueberry, black olive, mint, pine resin, violet, lavender, graphite, iron, flint, dry cocoa, cedar and Chinese spices. The palate is dense and energetic, carried by lively acidity, a framework of fine yet firm tannins and a velvety texture. The long, savoury finish extends the mineral and spicy accents.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 800 wine estates. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 estates were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was mainly known for producing fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet this competition remains little known to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the fame of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.