2012 Howell Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley

Here at Wine Access, our penchant for rugged mountain Cabernet is no secret. We love its complexity, depth, and power, and have a deep appreciation for the growers who toil to craft it. These bottles exude passion and character at every turn, and reward patience with their steady evolution. 

Anytime we get to offer a mountain Cab to our members, we’re thrilled. But today is even more special because the 2012 Howell Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a library release, regularly sold only at the winery. Wine Enthusiast named it a Cellar Selection, writing: “This is a beautifully lush, plush and structured mountain wine, layered in tensely focused raspberry, clove and vanilla. Surprisingly velvety, with soft, integrated tannins, it bursts in black pepper that lasts on the palate, inviting steak au poivre to join in.” 

Just a handful of cases were released to Wine Access from the cellar at Howell Mountain Vineyards to make room for the incoming vintage. These perfectly aged bottles are at their peak, and at this price, we can hardly emphasize it enough: This is a rare opportunity. 

Howell Mountain Vineyards, led by the legendary grower Mike Beatty, is perched at 1,800 ft. in the Vaca Range. It was founded in 1988, back when most people thought it was crazy to grow grapes in such a dry, rugged environment. But Beatty had a vision, and planted the 34-acre vineyard to Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a few other Bordeaux varieties. 

It didn’t take long for the meticulous vintner to prove that he knew what he was doing: Today, Howell Mountain is heralded as one of the top wineries in the appellation, and Beatty’s Zinfandel has been ranked in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100, earning the highest marks in its class. 

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates the extraordinary class and cellaring potential of Beatty’s wines, having matured for the last seven years in the cool confines of the winery. The layers of dark fruit and spice, savory earth, and velvety tannins have rounded into a seamless package, displaying the best of what Howell Mountain has to offer. 

The Wine Access brass are aware that most of us here are eager to purchase a few bottles ourselves. Can you blame us? A library release of stunning mountain Cabernet? Offers like this don’t come around every day. 

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 14.50%
• 1 hour
• Now – 2026
• % Cabernet Sauvignon
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Cork