Cade 2019 Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California
Extremely Limited | 98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck | 97 Points – Vinous
Overview
The 2019 Cade Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is an ultra-premium, limited-production Cabernet from the prestigious Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley. Crafted with meticulous precision, this Reserve bottling represents the pinnacle of Cade’s winemaking—a bold yet refined expression of mountain-grown fruit with extraordinary complexity, structure, and ageability.
With only a small number of bottles produced, this highly coveted wine is an absolute must-have for collectors and enthusiasts of elite Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vintage & Terroir
The 2019 vintage in Napa Valley offered ideal conditions: a long, balanced growing season with warm days, cool nights, and an extended hang time that allowed for exceptional phenolic ripeness and concentrated flavors. Perched on the rugged slopes of Howell Mountain, Cade’s organically farmed estate vineyards yield fruit with remarkable depth, purity, and minerality, hallmarks of this acclaimed AVA.
Winemaking & Aging
Cade’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of uncompromising vineyard and cellar practices:
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Hand-harvested, optically sorted fruit for precision quality
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Cold soak and extended maceration to maximize color and tannin integration
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Primary fermentation in stainless steel, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel for richness
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Aging in 100% French oak (predominantly new barrels) for over 20 months to build complexity and structure
- A small percentage of Malbec (4%) is blended to add plushness and aromatic lift, resulting in a wine that is both powerful and nuanced.
Blend & Technical Details
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Varietals: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec
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Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
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Alcohol: 15.2%
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Farming: Certified Organic (CCOF)
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Production: Extremely limited
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep, inky garnet with violet reflections.
Nose: An intoxicating bouquet of cassis, blueberry, and black cherry, intertwined with violet, fresh herbs, tobacco leaf, and spring flowers. Subtle hints of spice, graphite, and cedar add extraordinary aromatic depth.
Palate: Full-bodied and opulent, the palate reveals concentrated layers of dark fruit—cassis, blackberry, and plum—complemented by savory notes of sappy herbs, cocoa, and sweet tobacco. Perfectly polished tannins and vibrant acidity create a seamless balance, while a velvety mouthfeel carries through to an exceptionally long, persistent finish.
Finish: Endless and refined, with echoes of ripe black fruit, exotic spices, and mountain minerality that linger gracefully.
Critical Acclaim
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98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the Cade 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is pure Napa gold, offering a sensational nose of cassis and blueberry fruits as well as incredible purity in its violet, sappy herb, tobacco, and spring flower-like aromas and flavors… a thrilling, singular wine that would be impossible to find outside of the magical valley.”
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97 Points – Vinous
“Cade's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a sumptuous, savory wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, rose petal, spice, sweet new oak and incense all build effortlessly in the glass. The aromatics alone are totally beguiling… contours are pretty soft for a young Howell Mountain Cabernet.”
Food Pairing Recommendations
This powerhouse Napa Cabernet is best enjoyed alongside rich, flavor-packed dishes, such as:
- Braised short ribs with rosemary and garlic
- Prime ribeye or tomahawk steak
- Herb-crusted lamb chops
- Wild mushroom risotto with truffle oil
- Aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Manchego
Cellaring Potential
The 2019 Cade Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is built for the long haul. Enjoy now with proper decanting, or cellar for 15+ years to witness its evolution into a beautifully integrated and complex wine.
Why It’s Special
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Rare Reserve Bottling: Produced in very limited quantities.
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Mountain Terroir: Unique expression of Howell Mountain’s rugged terrain and cool elevation.
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Sustainably Farmed: Certified organic vineyards and eco-conscious practices.
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Critical Darling: Consistently high scores from the wine world’s most respected critics.
