Recognized as one of the Napa Valley's most acclaimed winegrowing regions, Howell Mountain is famous for producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon with rich, deep color and excellent structure.
Food Pairings
Grilled Rib Eye Steak · Lamb Sliders · Roast duck with a cherry reduction · Roasted Eggplant · Cheddar cheese · Flourless chocolate cake
Vintage
Up until Labor Day 2022, the weather had been relatively benign. Abundant winter rains at the end of 2021 and the start of 2022 alleviated the three-year drought. Budbreak was early, occurring in mid to late March or early April for most Bordeaux varieties. In fact, May, June, July, and August 2022 were about as smooth sailing as grape growing gets. The heatwave that came in the fall with the up and down temperatures, led producers to decide when to harvest the grapes. Wineries that made quick picking decisions were rewarded with well-balanced wines. The end result for many were a brilliant series of stylish, well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon that are opulent and showy at first, becoming richer and more complex as flavors develop in the glass.
Howell Mountain
One of the first sub-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA, Howell Mountain rises well above the valley fog. While coastal fog blankets the valley floor, the mountain's weather remains sunny and cool, as it sits at higher elevations, starting at 1,400 feet and reaching 2,300 feet resulting in warmer nights and cooler days compared to the valley floor. Its higher elevation yields nearly twice the rainfall of the valley below, yet the rocky, porous volcanic soil drains well, resulting in drier conditions. Cooler spring temperatures delay bud break, while warm summer nights foster a harmonious balance of acidity and sugar in the fruit. This gradual growth process produces small, concentrated grapes that yield robust, complex yet well-balanced wines. A truly unique combination of factors producing a diverse range of complex flavors in your glass. Overall, the altitude and rocky, dry soil conditions create wines with firm structure, incredible varietal intensity, and excellent aging properties.
Limited Release
This vintage and commemorates the 28th year of the boutique Michael-Scott brand. This limited release is made with ultra-premium fruit grown in the winegrowing region of Howell Mountain in the Napa Valley.
Winemaker: Michael Quinn
Varietals: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2022
Alcohol: 15.3%
All Wines
95 Points
Deeply wild and floral with cherry, raspberry bramble, and dried cranberries layered with notes of baking spice and satsuma. Hints of cherry bark and dried violets carry through with touches of herbs and spice, lending a savory balance to silky layers and juicy, red core.
93 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. Its rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish.
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Deep, extra-ripe fruit flavors saturate this full-bodied wine, with blueberries, blackberries and dark plums on a juicy texture that slides easily down the hatch. The palate is full, structured and balanced. Finishes big with blackberry fruit and peppery spice. It's pure indulgent enjoyment for sipping alone or pairing with stews and roasts.
93 Points
Succulent poached pear, and lively tropical notes with touches of honeysuckle on the nose. A broad palate, boasting fresh lemon zest, and apricot, with subtle almond and sweetgrass. Hints of coriander on the finish with a lasting minerality framed by linear acidity.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color and strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe blackberry, and warm cassis with hints of cherry, black olive, currant and a touch of black pepper.
92 Points
With aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
Juice explodes out right of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This opulent wine opens with aromas of blackberry, black plum, violets and spice on the nose. Flavors on the palate of dark cherry, sarsaparilla and orange zest wrap around dried tobacco leaf, malt chocolate and toasted vanilla, with a long, supple finish.
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
With savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and cassis. The thick velvety texture gives way to toasty oak and finishes with just a hint of chocolate. Enjoy with your favorite grilled meats.
92 Points
Rich, full-bodied with flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla and enticing oak spice. Dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured of ripe black plums, dark cherries, cocoa and mint flavors fill the mouth that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.
95 Points
Aged in 50% new French oak, this wine opens up with aromas of red rose, black raspberry, and cherry cola notes that explode from the glass, with secondary components of sandalwood, cedary herb, and shaved chocolate. Black cherry flavors take center stage on the palate with notes of strawberry fruit, leather and sweet toasted baking spices on the finish.
94 Points
Blackberry pie, dried Mission figs, baking spices, blackberry coulis and a hint of cigar box on the nose. The palate offers smooth and velvety tannins, chocolate-covered cherries, red currants, huckleberry pie, toasted walnuts, vanilla and hibiscus. A classic example of a perfectly balanced valley floor Cabernet with excellent fruit concentration.
Exceptional
Aromas of blackberry, rose hip, dried cranberries and hints of boysenberry followed by notes of violets and crushed spices. The palate opens with a dense and lush tannin structure supported by flavors of red berry fruit, subtle acidity and a long flavorful, vanilla finish.
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, followed by elements of chocolate, toffee, vanilla, black pepper, and coffee. Exceptionally smooth and velvety with good balance and silky tannins. Bright black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with a lush texture filled with fruit, cocoa powder, clove, and a spicy finish. It's got it all with a velvety mouthfeel and long satisfying finish.
91 Points
This is primo fruit from high elevation vineyards in his Moon Mountain vineyard. Inky-black in the heart and purple blazing to the rim, offering up a nose of ripe cherry and violet, dried plums, figs, dates, and some black cherry. The first sip offers a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of chocolate with plenty of oomph. The palate builds as black and red berries mix with herb, exotic spices, and supple tannins to create a long, silky smooth finish.
Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.
Big & Rich!
Dark purple-black color with a crimson edge. The nose gives classic Syrah notes of pepper and black cherries and blueberries with a slight hint of smoke and tobacco. Fully ripe blueberries, black cherries, and dried currants are the forward flavors supported by roasted espresso, and Mediterranean spice.
92 Points
Aromas of Granny Smith apple, Bartlett pear, and lemon pith with hints of ginger. Juicy citrus throughout, with a touch of pineapple, and a subtle salinity that carries. Round and full, with ample acidity, and a linear core that cuts through layers of fruit.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
Bold & Spicy!
Savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry with notes of cedar and spice and a rich complex finish with just a hint of chocolate.
