After a night of dining at the French Laundry, proprietor Danica Patrick wasn't sure how thirsty for wine she would be at a 10am tasting the next day, but it was fortuitous that she would proceed as planned. It was a cool morning and the fog that sits at the bottom of the valley at this time of day was drifting away. The tasting started on top of a hill that sits in the middle of the vineyard, looking south. The view was spectacular! It was on a subsequent trip that she would find the property Somnium sits on today. She knew she wanted a place with A++ soil and a beautiful view. Far up the switch backs of Howell Mountain, she found the perfect property, and purchased it in the spring of 2009.
The organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sits on the flanks of Howell Mountain at 1,300ft and faces directly towards the southwest and west, which benefits from maximum sun exposure. The high elevation keeps the vineyard 5 degrees cooler than the valley floor, resulting in a steady growing season and the added benefit of alte afternoon sun exposure. This slope consists of extremely rocky soils and complex micro-climates, allowing them to make a velvety soft, yet complex Cabernet Sauvignon.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93+ POINTS - "From the estate vineyard at 1,300 feet above sea level on Howell Mountain, Somnium's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in 100% new French oak, yet it has absorbed much of the wood, revealing hints of pencil shavings, cassis and dark loam on the nose. It's full-bodied and tannic, even a bit chewy, but remains fresh on the finish. This should be cellared a few years, then drink well for over a decade."
ANTONIO GALLONI 93 POINTS - "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a powerful, brooding wine with huge mountain tannins and a virile, almost somber personality. Graphite, cured meats, licorice, cloves, scorched earth, black pepper and mocha give the 2018 its distinctly feral, mineral, savory quality. I would give the 2018 at least a few years in bottle, as it is pretty searing today."
The organically farmed Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sits on the flanks of Howell Mountain at 1,300ft and faces directly towards the southwest and west, which benefits from maximum sun exposure. The high elevation keeps the vineyard 5 degrees cooler than the valley floor, resulting in a steady growing season and the added benefit of alte afternoon sun exposure. This slope consists of extremely rocky soils and complex micro-climates, allowing them to make a velvety soft, yet complex Cabernet Sauvignon.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93+ POINTS - "From the estate vineyard at 1,300 feet above sea level on Howell Mountain, Somnium's 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon matured in 100% new French oak, yet it has absorbed much of the wood, revealing hints of pencil shavings, cassis and dark loam on the nose. It's full-bodied and tannic, even a bit chewy, but remains fresh on the finish. This should be cellared a few years, then drink well for over a decade."
ANTONIO GALLONI 93 POINTS - "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a powerful, brooding wine with huge mountain tannins and a virile, almost somber personality. Graphite, cured meats, licorice, cloves, scorched earth, black pepper and mocha give the 2018 its distinctly feral, mineral, savory quality. I would give the 2018 at least a few years in bottle, as it is pretty searing today."
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