Pine Ridge Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

ORIGIN: The impressive and powerful 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - Howell Mountain features a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and 2% Malbec. The firm tannins and concentration of hillside grown fruit are hallmarks of this complex, intense and elegantly balanced wine.

VINEYARD: The vineyard is located on a steep hillside at the 2,000 ft. elevation on Howell Mountain, a small, unique appellation in northeastern Napa Valley.

WINEMAKING: The grapes were hand harvested in mid-October 1999 and macerated on the skins for 23 days. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in the barrel and was aged for 18 months in new heavily-toasted French oak barrels. The wine was neither fined nor filtered before bottling in June of 2001.

TASTING NOTES: A toasty, briary character complements the black ripe fruit flavors of this full bodied Cabernet. Massive with velvety tannins and a distinctively long finish accented by dark chocolate and tobacco aromas, this Cabernet may be enjoyed now or cellared for at least 15 years.