Lot 478
2017 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Over $125/bottle under the original label

An absolutely sublime Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest winery on the mountain, Lot 478 is primarily Cabernet, with a little Merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot blended in. This series regularly fetches 92-94 points from top critics, with this edition receiving 93 points each from Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling.

This beauty opens to classic mountain aromatics of dark black fruits, raspberries, wild blueberries, and currants, haloed by dried herbs with hints of ground espresso bean. Over half a decade of bottle aging has begun to unleash the palate, showcasing a full-bodied structure that’s layered with crushed rock, cassis, florals, and backed by firm tannins. The finish is long, deftly influenced by the no-expense-spared barrel program highlighting its mountain origins. This wine is drinking beautifully and should be rock solid through 2035.