Decanter

2023 Castiel Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted by: Jonathan Cristaldi

A polished, beautifully concentrated, and boldly structured full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s epic 2023 vintage, crafted by Maayan Koschitzky, the Screaming Eagle alum. The voluptuous tannins are sweetly spiced, positively gorgeous, and impressively integrated, especially given the intensity typical of high-elevation fruit. Aromatics are striking and refined, offering pretty anise notes, sagebrush, and pulverised graphite. The palate is full-bodied, layered with ripe cassis and black cherry, nuances of pressed wildflowers, underscored by elegant cedarwood accents. Castiel is owned by Dave and Kathleen DiCesaris and is sourced from two sites on Howell Mountain: one on the northern reaches of the AVA rooted in volcanic soils, the other in the heart of the appellation near Angwin with deeper soils. The wine is aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak from a mix of Bordeaux cooperages.

99pts
Maturity: 2026 - 2040
Review Date: 03.17.26