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, 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
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, 2017Certainly one of the most beautiful and delicious Sauvignon Blancs I've had in longer than I can remember.
Certainly one of the most beautiful and delicious Sauvignon Blancs I've had in longer than I can remember.
Jul 22nd, 2017You cannot ask for more from a Sauv Blanc...
You cannot ask for more from a Sauv Blanc...
1 person found it helpfulOct 7th, 2020
It was great at first but falling off at end - still enjoyed
It was great at first but falling off at end - still enjoyed
1 person found it helpfulMay 16th, 2020Beautiful wine. Well aged. Still fresh and aromatic.
Beautiful wine. Well aged. Still fresh and aromatic.
1 person found it helpfulApr 23rd, 2019