2012 Ladera "Reserve" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

For as terrible as California‰۪s drought has been, it has blessed us with a string of amazing wine vintages. 2012 was the first to receive universal critical acclaim. If the ‰۪13 Valley cab is gorgeous, the ‰۪12 Howell Mountain Reserve is glorious. The Reserve is always 100% Cabernet and a pure, powerful expression of Howell Mountain. It is deeply fruited with velvety cassis and blackberry, blue fruit, a touch of cool, fresh herbal character. The concentration is immense. The texture is silky smooth with a mouth coating tannic structure leading to the impressive peacock‰۪s tail finish. A great achievement from Winemaker Jade Barrett and the whole team at Ladera.