Howell at the Moon

Sometimes a man (or woman) just has to say “What the Heck” and reach for an amazing, world class Big Red, the cost be damned, and that time is right now!  I briefly mentioned the 2008 Howell at the Moon The Knoll Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in Chapter 17 as a standout after I sampled this amazing wine at the 2013 “Taste of Howell Mountain” festival in June.   After a recent advance tasting of the 2010 vintage Howell at the Moon The Knoll Cab, I have confirmed my initial impression that this vintner is onto something special.  Howell Mountain is considered by many to be one of if not THE most outstanding AVA’s within Napa Valley, and the tiny berries of mountain-grown fruit produce characteristically intense juice.   The 2008 Howell at the Moon The Knoll Vineyard Cab is a bold, powerful expression of the Cab Sav varietal, with fine, polished tannins finishing the nose of dark berry fruit, spice, smoke, mocha and a bold earthy quality.  This wine is an outstanding demonstration of just how remarkable a well-made Cabernet can be.   Still quite young, with its anticipated peak still a decade away, this wine should be decanted for an hour or so to be properly enjoyed now.   If I had to describe The Knoll Vineyard 2008 in one word (other than powerful), I would have to use the word “balanced.”  Howell at the Moon is still a relatively new winery, with its initial vintage produced in 2004.   However, word is getting out that this winery and its owner Marc Cohen mean business.   HATM has received 4 straight years of 93 ratings on The Knoll Cab from the likes of Robert Parker and Wine Advocate, a remarkable accomplishment for a newcomer, to say the very least.   This type of consistent quality costs, and the HATM The Knoll 2008 Cab retails for $125 from the winery (www.howellatthemoonwine.com) or from Ronin Wines in the Southwest (www.roninwines.com).   Is it worth that price?   I believe that this wine will compare favorably with any Cab in Napa, and I think it is quite possible this wine will become a cult wine with the likes of Screaming Eagle and the like.  Less than 500 cases were produced, so don’t tarry!