Ink Grade 2019 Cabernet Sauvigon

Nestled in the untamed beauty of Napa Valley's northeast corner lies the Ink Grade Estate Vineyard, an unassuming gem perched on the extreme slopes of Howell Mountain. Its terraced expanse clings to volcanic "tufa" soils, bestowing upon the grapes an unparalleled raw tension that manifests as a wine of immense intensity and depth. Ink Grade is more than a vineyard; it is an elevated sanctuary, a site that commands reverence.

Our Ink Grade 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterful symphony of flavors, a testament to the meticulous selection of parcels from the diverse landscape of Napa Valley. Blending seamlessly with a portion of Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is a revelation of bright acidity and structured mountain tannins. It's a journey through complexity, offering a wine that can be savored in its youthful exuberance, a rare quality in mountain Cabernets.

The 2019 vintage paints a vivid picture of the Ink Grade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Matt Taylor, in September 2022, captured its essence, describing a nose adorned with fresh cassis, pomegranate, and cocoa. The palate, linear and consistent, unfolds with bright acidity and well-integrated raw mountain tannins, culminating in a finish that lingers like a whispered promise.

Ink Grade's lineage is showcased in the varietal composition, with 88.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and a nuanced 11.6% Merlot. The aging process, a careful dance of 9 months in new French oak and oak tanks followed by 26 months in a symphony of oak vessels, imparts layers of complexity. Harvested between September 14 and October 14, 2019, at the blocks with evocative names like Buddha's Belly and Heaven & Earth, this wine embodies the artistry of nature and craftsmanship.

With an AVA split of 87.3% Napa Valley and 12.7% Howell Mountain, this Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to its roots, drawing character and depth from the land. The alcohol content, a moderate 14%, ensures a balanced experience, allowing the terroir to shine. Ink Grade 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is more than a wine; it's a narrative written in each sip, a journey through the rugged elegance of Napa Valley's Howell Mountain.

Alcohol: 14%

94 POINTS - "So much pine needle, flowers, currants and ripe plums on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine and polished tannins. Linear and very tight with a clarity and energy. Vivid is the word. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

93 POINTS - "This classic style of Cabernet shows great balance, a snug structure and complex flavors that range from black cherry to black olive to sage and cedar. Moderate tannins and good acidity add to a slightly grippy and appetizing texture. Best 2025–2030." - Wine Enthusiast

92 POINTS - "Expressive, with bramble and black licorice notes leading off, followed quickly by fresh black cherry and currant preserves. Features flashes of bay leaf and mesquite on the sleek finish, with a strong mineral underpinning as well. Drink now through 2035." - Wine Spectator

91 POINTS - "Marked by black cherries and cassis aromas, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly muscular effort—not that it's big or bulky, but it shows plenty of tannic depth and a crisply acidic spine. It should be capable of aging well, even if it's not hugely pleasurable at this particular instant. It's 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot aged in a mix of oak tanks and barrels." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Ink Grade Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a nose of fresh cassis, pomegranate, and cocoa with elements of thyme, mint, candied orange peels, nutmeg, cloves, and paprika. The palate is linear throughout with a consistent midpalate of bright and lifted acidity and well-integrated raw mountain tannins that close in a persistent finish.