2000 Ladera Cabernet, Howell Mountain, Napa

Inaugural vintages are so exciting. At least for me. Even if the people and the grapes involved have been making wine for years, it's fun to see a new incarnation or a new direction spring up under a new name. Such is the case with this 2000 vintage from the new label Ladera. Pat and Anne Stotesbery purchased the Chateau Woltner property a few years ago, ripped out all the Chardonnay vines, and settled down to make distinctive Bordeaux-style reds using two steep hillside vineyards at either end of the Napa Valley (Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder).

Now with their first vintage, they are displaying a remarkable commitment to their chosen style -- a restrained, elegant wine that is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Look for the release soon of their 2001 Cabernet as well (late may, 2004) which promises to be even better than this one.

Tasting Notes:
Glowing perfect ruby in the glass, the wine has a light, woody nose of cedar and cherry. On the tongue the predominant flavor is cherry with a few highlights of oak, blackberry and mixed dried herbs. Remarkably smooth, the tannins are well integrated into the wine and the finish is long with elements of redcurrant, and a slight note of red currants and a whiff of calcium, which is one of the (for me undesireable) characteristics I find in many Howell Mountain wines. This is a very subtle wine, and not a big fruit bomb like so many Napa cabs. Pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum from the Altamura which I reviewed last week.

Food Pairing
I drank this wine at dinner the other night that included many bits of red meat, but it really went well with dish very similar to this herb crusted rack of lamb.

Overall Score: 9

How much?: $65

Want a bottle? Try Wine Searcher.

Posted by: Alder on May 17, 2004 8:31 PM: Tweet; Share this post elsewhere: Digg it! - Add to del.icio.us - Add to Stumbleupon - Add to Reddit; Filed under: Red Wine , Wine Reviews

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Comments (2)

enoch choi wrote:

05.17.04 at 10:47 PM

nicole duncan came to our local bevmo, and let me taste their line. full bodied, delicious and mouthfilling! she's the family rep, and national sales director, the daughter of the winemakers/owners. Really nice: nicole AT laderavineyards.com

Carrie Tillie wrote:

03.17.05 at 5:49 AM

Alder - thanks so much!

Actually, we make two, vineyard-specific cabs. The Howell Mountain will be released in April and one from Mt. Veeder is released in September. We also have a limited supply of the 2001 vintage here at the winery and as I am the one answering the phone, I can be called directly for orders. I personally think it is even better than the 2000!

Also, I have started ANOTHER blog, but this one charts the growth of some of the very cabernet vines you tasted. It is less than a week old and can be looked at here:
http://carolyntillie_ultimate_california_wine_blog.typepad.com/carolyn_tillies_ultimate_/

Cheers!
carrie