2021 Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley

***Pre-Arrival Item. ETA: Dec 20, 2024***

Castiel Estate is where magic happens. Perched on the rugged beauty of Howell Mountain, this 88-acre gem isn’t just a vineyard—it’s a world of its own. Picture pristine mountain springs, rocky volcanic soils, and sweeping vistas that make you stop and catch your breath.

Behind Castiel Estate are Kathleen and Dave, whose shared passion for wine brought this dream to life. Kathleen’s Napa Valley upbringing, steeped in the traditions of food, wine, and celebration, laid the foundation for her love of vineyard-designated cabernets. Dave’s fascination began with a chance visit to Freemark Abbey Winery, where he fell in love with the concept of terroir—and Kathleen herself. Together, they’ve created a wine that honors the land and the people who bring it to life.

At the helm is renowned winemaker Celia Welch. Over her illustrious career, Celia has crafted wines for some of the region’s most prestigious labels, including Staglin Family Vineyard, Scarecrow, and Keever Vineyards.

But Castiel Estate’s story doesn’t stop there. This cabernet also benefits from the expertise of Maayan Koschitzky, a celebrated Israeli-born winemaker whose journey in viticulture is nothing short of inspiring. Raised in a family of farmers, Maayan began his winemaking career in Israel, where he honed his craft for seven years before arriving in Napa Valley. He quickly made his mark working at icons like Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle before joining Philippe Melka’s team, where he helped shape wines for brands such as Tusk, Vice Versa, and Lail.

The vineyard itself is a treasure. Nestled high on Howell Mountain, it’s farmed by Jim Barbour, one of Napa Valley’s most respected viticulturists. The soils here—volcanic tuff and gravelly loam—combined with ideal drainage and west-facing exposure, create grapes with remarkable depth and structure. Sustainably farmed and meticulously cared for, the fruit embodies the power and elegance that Howell Mountain cabernet is known for.

The 2021 Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in small quantities and offered exclusively through their mailing list.

Aging: 20 months in 70% New French Oak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 Castiel Cabernet Sauvignon shows mulberry, fresh boysenberry, bay leaf and forest floor aromas, with a touch of baked cherry pie and notes of cocoa dust. At entry, the fruit flavors are profound and complex, with juicy black berry fruit dominant, then supported with baking spices, cocoa dust, a nuance of dried leaves and bark. Bright fruit acidity adds lift throughout the palate impression, and the finish is a mixture of nubby, slightly sinew-y tannins, juicy cherry and cola flavors, and fresh raspberries.

Another masterpiece from the talents of Celia Welch, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain comes from a site on Howell Mountain and spent 20 months in new French oak. It's a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful Mountain Cabernet revealing ample smoked black fruits, notes of graphite, tobacco, spicy wood, and bouquet garni, a dense, layered mid-palate, building tannins, and a gorgeous overall profile that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age. It will unquestionably have two decades or more of prime drinking.~99 Jeb Dunnuck

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon slowly unfurls to reveal evocative scents of warm cassis, blackberry preserves, candied violets, and licorice, followed by hints of mossy tree bark, tar, and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is exquisitely crafted with very fine, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness supporting the tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers, finishing with great length. ~97+ The Wine Independent

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