Arkenstone
Estate Howell Mountain Sauvignon Blanc
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
We don’t drink a lot of Sauvignon Blanc but, when we do we only really love a select few and this Arkenstone Howell Mountain is one of them.
This a varietal I feel is generally not made well by many producers. They are generally too green, grassy, mineral driven, strongly structured or are just poorly made everyday table wines.
This Arkenstone is well grown and crafted. Nothing is over done. Nothing astringent or bitty about it. There is only beauty, elegance and balance.
The nose reveals, ripe; meyer lemons, pineapple, tropical melons, grapefruit with a touch of sugar, white peach, apricots and some lime zest. Beeswax, heather honey notes, beautiful chalkiness, saline minerality, some Sugar Snap Peas, , soft white spice, a shade of mint, white & yellow spring flowers with jasmine.
The body is thick, well rounded and a little waxy. The structure and mouthfeel doesn’t over power, it’s more like White Burgundy if they grew Sauvignon Blanc there. It’s simple gorgeous and delicious. Ripe; meyer lemon juice, pineapple, tropical melons, grapefruit with a touch of sugar, white peach, apricots, haunting green apple, pear and some lime zest. Beeswax, heather honey notes, cream and even hints of butter, vanillin, beautiful chalkiness, saline, grainy minerality, soft white spice with just a touch of heat, a shade of mint, white & yellow spring flowers with jasmine. The acidity is amazing & perfect. The long finish is, round with perfectly ripened fruits, perfect balance of fruit and earthiness, elegantly gorgeous and persists hauntingly for minutes.
Photos of; our tasting at Arkenstone with Owner-Ron and Krausz, their terrace/patio, tasting lounge and their Estate vines.
We don’t drink a lot of Sauvignon Blanc but, when we do we only really love a select few and this Arkenstone Howell Mountain is one of them.
This a varietal I feel is generally not made well by many producers. They are generally too green, grassy, mineral driven, strongly structured or are just poorly made everyday table wines.
This Arkenstone is well grown and crafted. Nothing is over done. Nothing astringent or bitty about it. There is only beauty, elegance and balance.
The nose reveals, ripe; meyer lemons, pineapple, tropical melons, grapefruit with a touch of sugar, white peach, apricots and some lime zest. Beeswax, heather honey notes, beautiful chalkiness, saline minerality, some Sugar Snap Peas, , soft white spice, a shade of mint, white & yellow spring flowers with jasmine.
The body is thick, well rounded and a little waxy. The structure and mouthfeel doesn’t over power, it’s more like White Burgundy if they grew Sauvignon Blanc there. It’s simple gorgeous and delicious. Ripe; meyer lemon juice, pineapple, tropical melons, grapefruit with a touch of sugar, white peach, apricots, haunting green apple, pear and some lime zest. Beeswax, heather honey notes, cream and even hints of butter, vanillin, beautiful chalkiness, saline, grainy minerality, soft white spice with just a touch of heat, a shade of mint, white & yellow spring flowers with jasmine. The acidity is amazing & perfect. The long finish is, round with perfectly ripened fruits, perfect balance of fruit and earthiness, elegantly gorgeous and persists hauntingly for minutes.
Photos of; our tasting at Arkenstone with Owner-Ron and Krausz, their terrace/patio, tasting lounge and their Estate vines.
Aging out nicely. Oak and fruit play off each other. Still bright yet has a creamy texture that makes it so enjoyable.
Aging out nicely. Oak and fruit play off each other. Still bright yet has a creamy texture that makes it so enjoyable.
Oct 7th, 2018
I’d been itching to open one of these for a while and I decided to sacrifice one to experiment! I’ve previously had only the ‘14 vintage a year or two ago and remember it being lights out...this was no different. Big and explosive SB. Aromatics are so perfumed and abundant...kiwi, grapefruit, chalky limestone. Big texture with acidity to age. White flower and tropical fruit peel on the palate. Kudos to Arkenstone for crafting a SauvBlanc on Howell Mtn, which is prime Cab land!
I’d been itching to open one of these for a while and I decided to sacrifice one to experiment! I’ve previously had only the ‘14 vintage a year or two ago and remember it being lights out...this was no different. Big and explosive SB. Aromatics are so perfumed and abundant...kiwi, grapefruit, chalky limestone. Big texture with acidity to age. White flower and tropical fruit peel on the palate. Kudos to Arkenstone for crafting a SauvBlanc on Howell Mtn, which is prime Cab land!
Oct 6th, 2018Multifaceted wine that will make your jaw drop at the layers upon layers and have you scratching your head asking is this a SB? I can’t say anything that I haven’t already stated. Job well done @Sam Kaplan
Multifaceted wine that will make your jaw drop at the layers upon layers and have you scratching your head asking is this a SB? I can’t say anything that I haven’t already stated. Job well done @Sam Kaplan
Jul 16th, 2018
Delightful, crisp drinkable deliciousness for our Mother’s Day lobster dinner.
Delightful, crisp drinkable deliciousness for our Mother’s Day lobster dinner.
May 14th, 2018
Down to only 2 bottles left. This was a perfect drinker for a hot summer evening!
Down to only 2 bottles left. This was a perfect drinker for a hot summer evening!
Aug 29th, 2017
Prior ratings and notes still hold true. Tropical brûlée in a glass. Just delicious. Also, it goes very well with Cape Cod potato chips 😱
Prior ratings and notes still hold true. Tropical brûlée in a glass. Just delicious. Also, it goes very well with Cape Cod potato chips 😱
Aug 27th, 2017