Almacerro Proprietary Red Howell Mountain 2019

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 crafts for Vine Hill Ranch 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 these sumptuous yet refined wines, we’ve been chomping at the bit to tell you about it, but the first vintage of their Proprietary Red sold out to their mailing list before we could get our hands on any.  We’ve kept our sights trained on their release, waiting for 2019, and finally, the wait is 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 wonder emanates from its rocky, bucolic terroir.  Mountain lions, black bears, and coyotes traverse the vineyard at dusk.  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.  Before the Scherkenbachs, the property’s first chapter began in 1898, when Frederick Hess planted vines and established the La Jota Vineyard Company.  Despite its early success, Prohibition got the best of this iteration, and not again until the late 1970s was the land used for wine growing.  Bill & Joan Smith purchased the dormant vineyards and, while re-invigorating the La Jota brand, also became passionate advocates for the establishment of the Howell Mountain AVA.  After 30 years of producing wine on the mountain, the Smiths ushered the land into its third chapter and sold the Almacerro parcel to Frank, who assembled a preeminent team to join him on this journey.  Venerated vineyard manager Mike Wolf assists Françoise and uber-talented winemaker Matilda Scott to coax greatness from Almacerro’s volcanic soils.

The majesty of Almacerro’s land spoke not only to generations that came before but to those stewarding it now.  Ask any team member about what makes Almacerro so unique, and they will gush about the surrounding nature as if writing an ode to the terroir of this magical estate.  In their own exclamations:  “He showed me the property after harvest, and the colors…oh my god this place is gorgeous.  It’s just beautiful.” – Françoise, “The wildness of the land is what drew me to the area, bucolic and remote.” – Frank, “This estate has a natural grandeur and a wildness from the surrounding forest you can feel from the moment you arrive here.” – Lindsay (General Manager).  What better way to showcase the gravitas of these vines than a proprietary blend of all the varietals planted here?

Françoise and Matilda blended 38% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 27% Cabernet Franc, all estate-grown, for the 2019 Proprietary Red.  Harvest began in mid-September with the Merlot and finished in early October with the final picking of Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine fermented in a mix of stainless-steel tank and French oak puncheons before aging for 23 months in 30% new oak.   The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc bring the quintessential Howell Mountain power to the palate of this blend, while the Merlot serves finesse and refinement in the aromatics.  Complexly layered with suggestions of cherry, pomegranate, fine minerality, pine forest, and baking spices.  Youthful energy races through the palate, supported by expertly-woven tannins.  2019 is a stunning showing for Almacerro in their second vintage of Proprietary Red, and we will continue to watch as Almacerro ascends into Napa “legend” status.