2012 Revana Cold Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Revana Family Vineyard is in St. Helena, in Napa Valley. The estate was founded in 1997 by Madaiah Revana, a physician with a love of California Cabernet Sauvignon. The 9-acre vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Heidi Barrett was the winemaker in charge of the debut 2001 vintage and Thomas Rivers Brown is winemaker now. Revana makes only one wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and it has already won accolades from wine writers and collectors. In 2010 Wine Spectator named Revana to the #4 spot in its list of 100 Top Wines of 2010.

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.

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.