Genoa native Dino Dina christened his Howell Mountain vineyard Cimarossa (pronounced Chim-a-rossa), Italian for "red hilltop." A very special site indeed, where grapes and olive trees grow side by side in soil composed primarily of red volcanic rock and dust. Not much can be cultivated on these steep slopes, rising from 1,800 to 2,300 feet in elevation. The grape clusters are small, the berries are tiny, and the flavors are deep. The wines from this site are true Howell Mountain Cabernet. They are not to drink immediately; rather demand and deserve full attention. These wines of structure, immense depth, and richness will come into their own with age.
Aged for twenty months in 100% Darnajou French oak barrels, The 2018 Cimarossa Cabernet shows the tremendous dark fruit of the vintage. As always this is the most "reserved" Cabernet of the line up and just screams for time in the cellar or decanter to allow it to show its best. The tannins in the 2018 Cimarossa are more sweet than in previous vintages (think more like 2016). Black fruit, creosote and lots of deep, dark structure mark this gorgeous 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet.
Aged for twenty months in 100% Darnajou French oak barrels, The 2018 Cimarossa Cabernet shows the tremendous dark fruit of the vintage. As always this is the most "reserved" Cabernet of the line up and just screams for time in the cellar or decanter to allow it to show its best. The tannins in the 2018 Cimarossa are more sweet than in previous vintages (think more like 2016). Black fruit, creosote and lots of deep, dark structure mark this gorgeous 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet.
