Arkenstone
NVD Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
My second time having this, and I feel confident in this rating. Been about a year since I’ve had it and whole time has benefited it, it’s about identical. One word to summarize...plush. Incredibly soft tannins, even at pop and pour. About an hour of bottle decanting benefited, but this is almost pop and pour. Blue and black fruit on the nose alongside Sweet fig and sandalwood. Nice texture. I’d enjoy these within the next 7 years.
My second time having this, and I feel confident in this rating. Been about a year since I’ve had it and whole time has benefited it, it’s about identical. One word to summarize...plush. Incredibly soft tannins, even at pop and pour. About an hour of bottle decanting benefited, but this is almost pop and pour. Blue and black fruit on the nose alongside Sweet fig and sandalwood. Nice texture. I’d enjoy these within the next 7 years.
Mar 9th, 2018
On the nose, plum pudding, Christmas cake, gentle spices, light cinnamon & clove, fresh, soft, amazingly subtle dark floral bouquet & fragrant violets. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries and black raspberries. The mouth entry has warm spices that intensify, thick dusty M-M+ tannins. The fruits have a spice baked in quality. They start slightly dry and ripen...get juicier as they set on the palate. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, cherries, anise, dry crushed rocks, loamy soils, a touch of blue fruits start to emerge, cinnamon, clove and dark chocolate pudding. The spice deepens and has a slight stinging sensation on the top of the mouth and mid tongue. Rich black earth follows. The tannins on the finish get gluier. The rest of the wine is extremely soft and delicate. The acidity and the long beautiful finish are beautifully executed. Photos of the tasting room, estate vines with that beautiful red clay and their second barrel cellar.
On the nose, plum pudding, Christmas cake, gentle spices, light cinnamon & clove, fresh, soft, amazingly subtle dark floral bouquet & fragrant violets. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries and black raspberries. The mouth entry has warm spices that intensify, thick dusty M-M+ tannins. The fruits have a spice baked in quality. They start slightly dry and ripen...get juicier as they set on the palate. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, cherries, anise, dry crushed rocks, loamy soils, a touch of blue fruits start to emerge, cinnamon, clove and dark chocolate pudding. The spice deepens and has a slight stinging sensation on the top of the mouth and mid tongue. Rich black earth follows. The tannins on the finish get gluier. The rest of the wine is extremely soft and delicate. The acidity and the long beautiful finish are beautifully executed. Photos of the tasting room, estate vines with that beautiful red clay and their second barrel cellar.
May 8th, 2017
Wow, get this now!!!! All the things I look for in Cab. Such an inviting nose that reveals how lush and elegant this will be one the sip. Puréed black fruits, cassis, slight oak mid palate rich and structured-Layered and textured throughout. Integrated tannins with a jazzy finish.
Wow, get this now!!!! All the things I look for in Cab. Such an inviting nose that reveals how lush and elegant this will be one the sip. Puréed black fruits, cassis, slight oak mid palate rich and structured-Layered and textured throughout. Integrated tannins with a jazzy finish.
Dec 31st, 2016
Lots of buzz around this label lately. And I must say, deservedly so. My first thought was this is what it would smell like if one of those specialty cake shops opened amidst the fir and pine of Howell Mountain. It coats the palate first before it sets. Has an ethereal air about it that gives the notion that it might be light on its feet, only until it digs in. Dark bramble fruit and crème de cassis. Espresso, mocha, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, did I say chocolate? All of the hedonism is made artful with the essence of Howell Mountain's pine and fir weaved though out.
Lots of buzz around this label lately. And I must say, deservedly so. My first thought was this is what it would smell like if one of those specialty cake shops opened amidst the fir and pine of Howell Mountain. It coats the palate first before it sets. Has an ethereal air about it that gives the notion that it might be light on its feet, only until it digs in. Dark bramble fruit and crème de cassis. Espresso, mocha, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, did I say chocolate? All of the hedonism is made artful with the essence of Howell Mountain's pine and fir weaved though out.
Dec 22nd, 2016The passion the Harter Family has for there wines is profound. It shows in this 100% Cabernet. Pure and direct, on the nose-textbook cassis, a full display of alder and vanilla as well. Lush, supple mouthfeel that replays the cassis found on the nose. Black cherry, pipe tobacco and sweet spice flavors round out the entire palate. Tannins are present yet I find them enjoyable paired with the youthfulness of this wine.
The passion the Harter Family has for there wines is profound. It shows in this 100% Cabernet. Pure and direct, on the nose-textbook cassis, a full display of alder and vanilla as well. Lush, supple mouthfeel that replays the cassis found on the nose. Black cherry, pipe tobacco and sweet spice flavors round out the entire palate. Tannins are present yet I find them enjoyable paired with the youthfulness of this wine.
Dec 1st, 2016
Wow !! Love it .. bold & fruit forward ... jus the way I like my wines
Wow !! Love it .. bold & fruit forward ... jus the way I like my wines
Aug 20th, 2017
NFL draft and wine. What a combo. This is really good. Perfectly ripe blueberries with a kiss of chocolate. This would be awesome with a dry aged New York strip steak.
NFL draft and wine. What a combo. This is really good. Perfectly ripe blueberries with a kiss of chocolate. This would be awesome with a dry aged New York strip steak.
Apr 27th, 2017
Big red mountain fruit. Slightly acidic. Mellow tannins. Just a little young.
Big red mountain fruit. Slightly acidic. Mellow tannins. Just a little young.
Mar 31st, 2017
Susan Krausz, the most hospitable proprietor at Arkenstone, allowed us to invade her winery for Halloween on Howl Mountain. (Soon to become an annual trick or treat event on Howell Mt.). She was even kind enough to let us barrel taste her husband's Syrah that was hiding in the back (more about that later). The NVD Cabernet Sauvignon from their vineyards at 1600 ft., bring a bit of minerality from the volcanic soil that balances well with that tight, deep mountain fruit.
Susan Krausz, the most hospitable proprietor at Arkenstone, allowed us to invade her winery for Halloween on Howl Mountain. (Soon to become an annual trick or treat event on Howell Mt.). She was even kind enough to let us barrel taste her husband's Syrah that was hiding in the back (more about that later). The NVD Cabernet Sauvignon from their vineyards at 1600 ft., bring a bit of minerality from the volcanic soil that balances well with that tight, deep mountain fruit.
Nov 19th, 2016