Almacerro Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2018

We knew Françoise Peschon was a superstar even before she was anointed Winemaker of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019. We’ve long promoted the wonderfully elegant wines she’s crafted at Araujo and Matt Morris, and newer projects like Heimark and Baker & Hamilton. So, when we recently received word that Françoise was the consulting winemaker at the helm of a debut estate wine from Howell Mountain called Almacerro, we may have harbored some positive preconceived notions. Our instincts were accurate- ever since we tried this sumptuous yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon, we’ve been chomping at the bit to tell you about it. The wait is finally over!

Almacerro’s remote estate vineyard occupies a lofty spot at 1,800 feet in elevation on Howell Mountain, in an area that has been planted to vine since the late 19th Century on what was originally a Mexican land grant. 120-year-old olive trees frame the property’s sweeping views over the Napa Valley, and a sense of quiet peace and wonder emanate from its rocky, bucolic terroir. Mountain lions, black bears, and coyotes traverse the vineyard at dusk. The combination of these extraordinary qualities motivated vintner Frank Scherkenbach and his family to acquire this awe-inspiring property and steward it into the next chapter of its winemaking history. Frank has assembled a preeminent team to join him on this journey: Françoise is assisted by venerated vineyard manager Mike Wolf and uber-talented winemaker Matilda Scott to coax greatness from Almacerro’s volcanic soils. This Cabernet Sauvignon speaks to its place of origin and is dark, brooding, earthy and layered. We highly recommend acquiring one bottle to enjoy now and another to gently tuck to bed in your cellar for future enjoyment.

This wine showcases all the classic markers of Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with a unique elegance and balance; its robust and strapping framework is interwoven intricately with luscious, satiny tannins to reveal a wine that is both mighty and lifted. Beneath these savory layers are beautifully nuanced aromas of juicy ripe blackberries and mulberries with perfumy notes of fresh rose petals and violets that provide yet another level of intrigue and intensity to the wine. As the velvety tannins envelop the palate, there is an impression of symmetry and harmony, a wine that is both enduring and bold.