Varietal : Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage : 2023
Appellation : NAPA VALLEY HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Alc. By Vol: 14.6%
PRESS: 94 Points Decanter MAGAZINE Jonathan Cristaldi
SRP: $150
Howell Mountain holds a distinguished position as one of Napa Valley's premier mountain AVAs, renowned for producing Cabernet Sauvignon of extraordinary power, structure, and longevity. Its unique appeal lies in its distinct high-elevation terroir. Vineyards are situated above the fog line (typically above 1,400 feet), resulting in more direct sun exposure and warmer daytime temperatures than the valley floor, yet the overall climate is cooler with significant diurnal shifts that aid in preserving acidity. The soils are predominantly volcanic, shallow, and well-draining, forcing vines to struggle and produce smaller berries with thick skins, leading to wines of immense concentration, dark fruit, and pronounced, often dusty, tannins. This combination yields Cabernets that are famously age-worthy, developing profound complexity and earthy nuances over decades.
The 2023 growing season across Napa Valley, including Howell Mountain, was characterized by its length and a moderated climate, allowing for a thoughtful and unhurried ripening process. Following a significantly wet winter that replenished soils, bud break was later than average. The summer saw consistent, mild temperatures with very few of the intense heat spikes that can challenge mountain vineyards. This extended and even growing season allowed Howell Mountain's Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to achieve exceptional phenolic ripeness, developing deep color, complex aromatics, and robust yet refined tannins. The resulting wines from 2023 are anticipated to be structured and powerful, yet elegant, showcasing remarkable purity and a classic mountain character.
Our 2023 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon displays an impressive, deep garnet hue. On the nose, it offers an intense aromatic profile of black cherry, wild blackberry, and concentrated cassis, interwoven with distinct notes of forest floor, dried herbs, and crushed rock minerality. The palate is full-bodied and commanding, delivering layers of dark fruit, savory spices, and a hint of dark chocolate. The tannins are firm and structured, yet beautifully integrated, providing a powerful backbone that promises long-term aging potential. Bright, persistent acidity carries the flavors through a long, complex finish, revealing the unique intensity and focus characteristic of Howell Mountain.
2023 AYLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY HOWELL MOUNTAIN
The 2023 Ayla Appellation Series Cabernet Sauvignon was cultivated with meticulous attention to terroir and detail. Adhering to the rhythms of the lunar cycle, the vines were carefully pruned in early spring, ensuring optimal growth and fruit quality. Throughout the growing season, irrigation practices were synchronized with lunar phases, promoting deep root development and enhanced flavor profiles.
As the moon waxed, the vines thrived, drawing on the gravitational pull to bolster their vitality. Most of the Harvest took place under the September 29 full moon, which elevates the grape’s sugar levels and overall expression. This mindful approach to vineyard management not only honors traditional practices but also results in a Cabernet Sauvignon that is rich, reflecting each AVA's unique terroir and the cycles of nature. Each bottle of the 2023 Ayla Appellation Series encapsulates this harmonious blending of art and science, yielding a truly exquisite wine experience.
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THE AYLA APPELLATION SERIES AND LUNA CYCLE FARMING
Varietal : Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage : 2023
Appellation : NAPA VALLEY DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Alc. By Vol: 14.6%
PRESS: 93 Points Decanter MAGAZINE Jonathan Cristaldi
SRP: $150
Cases Available: 242
Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon stands out due to its unique terroir, characterized by elevated vineyards (400-2,200 feet) above the fog line and porous volcanic soils rich in obsidian. This combination stresses the vines, producing small berries with intense flavor concentration and firm, age-worthy tannins. The region also benefits from moderated temperatures due to its elevation and specific air currents, leading to wines that balance powerful dark fruit with bright acidity, often displaying savory and mineral notes, making them distinctively structured and incredibly long-lived.
The 2023 Vintage: A Season of Elegance and Precision - A truly exceptional vintage, often described as a "vintage of a lifetime." Following a remarkably wet winter that replenished water reserves and nourished the soils, the spring was cool, leading to a later-than-usual bud break. The summer saw consistently mild temperatures with few heat spikes, allowing for a long, unhurried ripening period. This extended hang time, combined with abundant sunshine and cooler conditions, enabled the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to develop deep color, complex flavors, and a refined tannic structure. Winemakers report wines of incredible purity, freshness, and balance, with lower alcohol levels than typical, harkening back to a more classic Napa style. The 2023 vintage promises wines with remarkable clarity, vibrancy, and excellent age-worthiness.
Our 2023 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a deep, opaque ruby hue. On the nose, it offers an alluring bouquet of dark cassis, black cherry, and wild blueberry, intertwined with sophisticated notes of graphite, cedar, and a hint of fresh sage. The palate is powerful yet beautifully poised, showcasing a core of concentrated black and red fruits. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide a robust structure, elegantly framed by bright acidity. Layers of dark chocolate, espresso, and a subtle minerality unfold, leading to a remarkably long and persistent finish. This wine is approachable in its youth, yet possesses the depth and complexity to evolve gracefully for decades.
2023 AYLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
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Varietal : Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage : 2023
Appellation : NAPA VALLEY OAKVILLE
Alc. By Vol: 14.6%
PRESS: 96 Points Decanter MAGAZINE Jonathan Cristaldi
SRP: $175
Cases Available: 38
Oakville holds a revered status as one of Napa Valley's most iconic and prestigious appellations for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its distinctiveness stems from a perfect confluence of geological and climatic factors. Situated in the heart of the valley, Oakville benefits from unique alluvial fan soils, largely gravelly and well-draining, which compel vines to root deeply, yielding intensely concentrated fruit. The region experiences warm daytime temperatures ideal for ripening, but is consistently moderated by cool morning fog and afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay, allowing for a prolonged maturation period that develops complex flavors while preserving essential acidity. This unique terroir, combined with a legacy of meticulous viticulture and winemaking, consistently produces Cabernets renowned for their profound depth, power, elegance, and exceptional age-worthiness, often achieving a coveted balance between new-world richness and old-world structure.
The 2023 Vintage: A Classic and Harmonious Year in Oakville The 2023 growing season in Napa Valley, particularly in Oakville, was an exceptional return to a more classic vintage. Following abundant winter and spring rains that fully replenished soils, the vines experienced a later bud break. Summer was characterized by consistent, mild temperatures with a notable absence of extreme heat spikes, allowing for a prolonged and even ripening period. This extended hang time in Oakville's ideal climate enabled Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to develop deep color, complex flavor profiles, and fully mature tannins while retaining excellent natural acidity. Winemakers describe the 2023 wines as expressive, balanced, and possessing both power and finesse, reminiscent of some of Napa's most celebrated vintages with significant aging potential.
Our 2023 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon presents an intense, opaque ruby-purple hue. The nose is immediately captivating with concentrated aromas of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis, seamlessly integrated with nuances of cedar, tobacco leaf, and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied and opulent, delivering layers of rich black fruit flavors complemented by savory notes and a subtle earthiness. The tannins are remarkably polished and velvety, providing a luxurious mouthfeel and a firm, yet elegant, structure. Vibrant acidity ensures freshness and balance, leading to an exceptionally long, harmonious finish that promises remarkable evolution with age.
2023 AYLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY OAKVILLE
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