The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain comes mostly from the estate vineyard (there's a small part from the True vineyard) and it appears to be a classic Howell Mountain Cabernet. Blue fruits, ample minerality, and some violet and mountain scrub brush notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, layered 2017 that has fine tannins and a terrific sense of elegance.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel sample composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is to be aged for 20 months in French oak, 80% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crème de cassis, baked black cherries, mulberries and preserved plums with fragrant earth, unsmoked cigars and cedar chest nuances. Full-bodied, muscular and laden with baked black fruits accented by lovely earthy sparks, it has a good, long finish. 1,412 cases are to be made.