AMPL Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2019

When you think about it, the wine bottle is the only libation designed to be shared. In opening a bottle of wine, the enjoyer inherently knows they'll be welcoming others to share in the delights that await beneath the cork. And in both moments of joy and sorrow, we seek out community and reach for our corkscrews, as wine brings us together. So, with the vision to create many more shared experiences, Owner Paulina Michalek launched her debut brand, AMPL Wines.

As a young child growing up in then Czechoslovakia, Paulina witnessed first-hand the transformation of loved ones as they sat around the dinner table and enjoyed a communal bottle of wine. She noticed a recognizable wave of relief wash over her family and friends as they sipped and shared during those uncertain times. This intriguing beverage piqued her interest once again when Paulina moved to California in early adulthood. With close proximity to wine country, while living in San Francisco, Paulina made many trips to Napa Valley with friends, exploring the different AVAs and tasting many of Napa's great wines. During one of the said excursions, Paulina visited us here at ACME and became a member of our Kahuna club!

Over the years, her love for Napa Cabernet and specifically the prized fruit of Howell Mountain blossomed. As she and her husband Libor built a new home, Paulina set out on the next phase of her wine journey:  becoming a vintner. She shared her ambitions with new neighbors and friends, and more than one said if she planned to make a Howell Mountain Cabernet, she must work with Jon Jones. A 20-year veteran of Napa's wine world, Jon makes wine under his family label, Paravel, and is the Associate Winemaker at Olabisi, Phifer Pavitt, and Spence. Jon boasts a similar wine origin story to Paulina with a fated Napa Valley trip during his college years. He and his friends raided a well-stocked wine cellar and drank a life-changing back vintage of Opus One. Originally a musician by trade, Jon's winemaking style reflects his music theory education. He focuses on "harmony, balance, and the right mix of top notes sliding along a steady rhythm."

The debut 2019 vintage of AMPL's Howell Mountain Cabernet is lush and impressive with a silky smooth and well-balanced palate. This Cabernet's nose has it all, giving off notes of ripe black cherry, wild raspberry, fresh vanilla bean, and pipe tobacco. The palate showcases more dark mountain characteristics with milk chocolate, espresso, and freshly baked cherry pie. With only 50 cases produced of this inaugural vintage, you'll want to make this Cabernet a part of your collection or your next dinner party today!