Lot 622 | 2022 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 6-pack

***SHINERS OFFER, SHIPPING BEGINS MID-OCTOBER*** The veterans among you will see “Howell Mountain Cabernet shiners for $31” and rush straight to checkout, but for all of our newer members, here’s the scoop… A couple of years back, we acquired two vintage shiners of the signature offering from one of Howell Mountain’s premier estates (both the 2017 and 2018 are drinking beautifully, by the way). We’re delighted to announce that we’ve secured another batch, this time from their 95-point 2022 vintage release! Lot 622 is as pure a mountain Cab as you’ll find in Napa. This estate-grown and bottled beauty is comprised of a Cabernet Sauvignon core with a splash of other Bordelaise varietals from some of the highest and most sought-after vineyards in the valley. Crafted by masters of high elevation viticulture with a decades-long track record of deliberately structured, spectacular mountain wines, it possesses an unmistakable volcanic soul that’s made it a favorite among serious collectors. We could go on and on, but you’ll see the name on the cork when you pop this bottle anyway so let’s just start the drumroll, shall we? This concentrated, powerful standard-bearer of literal peak quality sells direct from the source in the neighborhood of $120, but it’s yours today for well over 70% OFF – an astonishing price for Howell Mountain Cabernet of this level. As always, we love to pass the savings on to our readers. And for those of you still holding onto Lots 468 or 478, adding this would be chef’s kiss for a vertical tasting. Our price: $189/6-pack, $31+/bottle! In 2022, Howell Mountain’s elevation proved especially advantageous. The fall heatwave gave a boost to ripening just as Cabernet grapes needed a final push, and while much of the valley raced to harvest, cooler conditions at high altitude helped temper the heat, giving well-positioned mountain sites greater flexibility to bring their fruit across the finish line. With freshness and acidity preserved, our source took full advantage and produced a marvelous Cabernet with all the structure and intensity that make this AVA so famous. Deeply focused and potent red-to-black fruit pulls you deep into the glass, where violets and cassis dance around crushed rock and mountain herbs. On the palate, dark, concentrated fruit meets leather and dark chocolate amid an incredibly structured presentation of mountain minerality, balanced acidity, and wonderfully integrated supple tannins. The finish is long, dry, and filled with additional dark fruit, barrel spice, and vanilla that gives way to waves of violets. This is serious mountain Cab built for the cellar – we strongly encourage a 24-hour decant if drinking in the near term. 14.8% alc