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2013 Lail Mole Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

May 5, 2024 - $200

Estimate

PRODUCER

Lail

Lail Vineyards, in Rutherford, Napa Valley, was established in 1998. However its roots go back five generations to 1879, when Gustav Niebaum founded Inglenook Vineyards, one of California’s pioneering wine operations. Robin Lail, who with her husband Jon Lail own Lail Vineyards, is the great grand niece of Niebaum. She also has strong ties to Napa Valley winemaking, having worked for Robert Mondavi as well as being a co-founded of Dominus. Later she was president of Merryvale Vineyards. In 1995 she and her husband sold their interests in Merryvale and Dominus to focus on starting an estate of their own. Lail has vineyards on Howell Mountain and in Yountville. Lail’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, who worked in France, Australia and Italy before joining Lail. The estate’s signature wine is the J. Daniel Cuvee, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

REGION

United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

TYPE

Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.