Cade Reserve Howell Mountain 15,6% alk. 2018

CADE Reserve Howell Mountain 2018 is a powerful yet polished Napa Valley red that showcases the intensity and precision of high-elevation mountain fruit. Sourced from select parcels on Howell Mountain, this reserve bottling marries Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot for extra depth and complexity. The 2018 vintage, the largest ever for CADE, captures a benchmark year in Napa with remarkable purity of fruit and impressive structure.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the wine is an opaque, inky ruby-purple, hinting at its concentration and youth. The nose opens with layered aromatics of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, supported by notes of graphite, violets and crushed rock, evolving into nuances of dark chocolate, espresso, cedar, and sweet baking spices from the 100% new French oak. On the palate, this Howell Mountain Cabernet is full-bodied and concentrated, yet sleek and vibrant. Dense black and blue fruits—cassis, plum and boysenberry—are framed by firm, fine-grained mountain tannins and a spine of fresh acidity that keeps the wine lifted. Undertones of licorice, tobacco leaf, roasted coffee and clove add complexity, while a long, persistent finish lingers with dark fruit, cocoa and savory spice. Structured and ageworthy, the 2018 Reserve is approachable with a good decant now, but will reward patience over the next 12–20 years as the tannins knit further and the tertiary notes emerge.

Production
CADE Estate sits on a 54-hectare property atop Howell Mountain, with 21 hectares under vine at elevations between 1,500 and 1,850 feet. This rugged, high-altitude terroir—marked by rocky, volcanic soils, abundant sunlight and cooler mountain temperatures—produces small, intensely flavored berries with naturally high acidity and structure. For the 2018 Reserve, fruit was sourced from the estate vineyards and the winery’s recently acquired 82-hectare Howell Mountain property, 13th Vineyard. The grapes were hand-harvested between October 5 and November 1, then destemmed (with whole berries retained), meticulously hand-sorted, and gently transferred into small stainless steel fermenters. After a two-day cold soak to enhance color and aromatic extraction, fermentation proceeded warm and relatively quick, followed by 6–7 days of maceration to refine tannins and concentrate flavor. The wine was then aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels, lending additional texture, complexity and ageworthy structure.

Food & Serving
This is a commanding mountain Cabernet that pairs beautifully with richly flavored, protein-driven dishes. Think dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, braised short ribs, venison, or a slow-cooked beef stew. It also works well with earthy components such as wild mushrooms, truffle-infused dishes, or aged hard cheeses like Comté, Pecorino or mature Cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F) for optimal expression. Decant for 1.5–2 hours in its youth to soften the tannins and open the bouquet; older bottles (10+ years) will benefit from a gentler 45–60 minute decant.

Producer
CADE Winery is a modern, sustainability-focused estate on Napa Valley’s famed Howell Mountain, and part of the respected PlumpJack family of wineries alongside PlumpJack Estate and Odette Estate. Established in the mid-2000s, CADE quickly earned recognition for its contemporary architecture, environmentally conscious practices—its winery was among the first LEED Gold–certified wineries in Napa—and its precise, mountain-driven Cabernet Sauvignons. Perched high above the valley floor, CADE has become a reference point for the power and refinement of Howell Mountain terroir, crafting wines that regularly garner strong critical acclaim and highlight Napa’s capacity for both intensity and elegance.

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