By Clif Family
2017 Cold Springs Vineyard Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard
The Clif Family Winery Cold Springs vineyard is located on the south side of Howell Mountain. This 5.5-acre vineyard sits at an elevation of 1,660 ft, nestled amongst tall evergreens. The soil is decomposed volcanic ash, also known as tuff, which provides fast drainage and low nutrition. The results are plants with deep roots and low vigor that produce small berries of superb quality.

Winemaking
Hand-harvested in the cool morning hours, the fruit is hand-sorted before and after the destemmer. After a three-day cold soak, the juice is inoculated with cultured yeast. During fermentation, temperature and extraction are carefully managed. The wine is then pressed off the skins and placed in French oak barrels for aging. Prior to bottling, the winemaker selects the very best barrels for this small-production, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes
Subtle aromas of savory blueberry pie and freshly baked bread open to classic Cabernet aromas of tobacco, cedar, and a slight herbal quality, reminiscent of this cooler Howell Mountain site. Medium-weight tannins fill the mid-palate and become more present through the incredibly long finish.

Wine Information
Appellation: Howell Mountain
Vineyard: Clif Family Cold Springs Vineyard
Composition: 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon (40% clone 337, 30% clone 7, 30% clone 4)
Sustainability: B Corp Certified, Napa Green Vineyard, Fish Friendly Farming
Oak Program: 20 months in 85% new French oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.80%
Harvest Date: September 29th and October 14th, 2017
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: Clif Family Winery 2017 Cold Springs Vineyard Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
Score/Rating: 93 - Gold Medal (Exceptional)
Suggested Drinking Window: Now-3 years on
Review Date: 11/04/2024
Tasting Notes: Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, mocha, purple flowers, and vanilla and petrichor with a round, lively, dry medium-full body and a warming, engaging, medium-length finish revealing accents of chocolate and vanilla covered cherries, leather, boysenberry mint sorbet, and black tea with crunchy, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. Lush fruit with rich aromas of plum, fig, and tobacco combined with well-integrated tannins meeting excellent wine making comes together here in a real depth and complexity of flavors.

Wine: 2017 Clif Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Springs Vineyard
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2042
Review Date: 01/31/2020
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Springs Vineyard is a solid step up and has lots of blackcurrants, smoked earth, roasted herbs, and violet aromatics, full-bodied richness, a distinct sense of minerality, and enough structure to warrant short-term cellaring.

Wine: Clif Family Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Cold Springs Vineyard 2017
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2030
Review Date: 05/06/2021
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Solidly built, with macerated fig and black currant fruit flavors awash in cocoa, mesquite and bramble notes. Shows a nice tug of earth on the grippy finish. More muscle than finesse, but hey, it's Howell Mountain... Best from 2022 through 2030.

Wine: Clif Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cold Springs Vineyard 2017
Score/Rating: 90
Review Date: 10/07/2019
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Aromas of blackberries and blueberries and hints of dried flowers. Medium body, fine tannins and an easy finish. Drink or hold.