2021 MISC Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The single-appellation expression of Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly highlights the personality of this mountain terroir. Layers of blackberries, blueberries, menthol, spiced licorice, cool minerals, violets, and savory herbs present a powerful aromatic profile that continues to evolve with time in the glass. A palate of black and purple fruits delivers a mouthful of concentrated fruit with accents of dried flowers and acidity, all framed by notes of spiced vanilla and blackberry cobbler that round out the sultry finish. Bold and beautiful now and possesses the staying power to cellar for over a decade.

Grant Long Jr. has spent his entire career in the wine business. His approach to his craft comes from a very personal perspective, putting commitment far above all other considerations. Honoring the heritage of the land by capturing the experience of a place and time in a bottle of wine is an ode to the vintners and winemakers who pioneered the path of Napa’s legacy. He points to his father, a lifelong wine lover and wine collector, as one of the great influences in his life. The stories told to him of his father’s early trips to Napa Valley have become woven into the fabric that makes up Miscellaneous Wines.

Miscellaneous Wines was forged from a passion for creating wine from a specific place and time. The concept of representing a unique vineyard in a single vintage by isolating a handful of individual barrels was the inspiration. As harvest comes to a close and the wine has had time to develop in the barrel, the process of selecting distinct small-reserve lots begins.

On the western edge of Calistoga stands Diamond Mountain, one of the least planted mountain AVAs in all of Napa Valley. Extending from 400 to 2,200 feet in elevation and with little insulation from the nearby Pacific Ocean, the few vineyards planted here are blanketed with a dense layer of fog overnight. Moderate temperatures combined with fine volcanic soil lend themselves to vines with low yields, which in turn makes these wines rare. Historically, Diamond Mountain wines combine a backbone of mountain fruit with a plush elegance, making them truly distinctive.