Shipping included on 6 bottles or more

88.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.6% Merlot

The name Ink Grade, to me, evokes the Heitz Cellars wines of yore. The late-great Joe Heitz made his famous ‘Port’ from the grapes up on Ink Grade and later used its Zinfandel and Cabernet in a variety of their iconic reds as well. In fact, the Heitzes eventually purchased this old vineyard estate for themselves back in 1989 and farmed it until the Heitz winery itself was sold in 2018. But the history of this very special place on the back side of Howell Mountain goes back a lot, lot longer. It was in 1873 that one Theron Ink (one of the great names of the Napa Valley!) purchased the property via a land grant from Ulysses S. Grant and first planted vineyards on the property. At 2200 feet over the Napa Valley, this is truly a unique spot and Ink began, soon afterwards, to make his own wine and was compelled to carve a road down the mountain to get them to the Valley below to be sold. Appropriately, he called it Ink Grade. When Heitz was purchased, the property, its old vineyards and winery, were spun off to become an independent project dedicated solely to using the amazing fruit from those very old, low-yielding mountain vines. While there is some incredible old Zinfandel in this estate vineyard, it’s Cabernet Sauvignon that made this site, and Howell Mountain as a whole, famous and this is, indeed, a mountain Cab that’s very true to its name. With only a bit of Merlot in the blend to round out the tannins, it’s a wine long on loamy, herby notes that revolve around a deep core of black, earthy fruit. Think espresso, dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar and graphite on a medium- to full bodied wine with some plucky, good ol’ Howell Mountain tannins there to give it life. Rich with inward-looking dusky, plummy fruit, we really loved its freshness, woodsy spice and chocolate finish. It’s an impressive amalgam of Old- and New World sensibilities that calls out for anything with grill marks- steaks, burgers, lamb chops, whatever...

James Suckling, 94 points: So much pine needle, flowers, currants and ripe plums on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine and polished tannins. Linear and very tight with a clarity and energy. Vivid is the word. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast, 93 points: This classic style of Cabernet shows great balance, a snug structure and complex flavors that range from black cherry to black olive to sage and cedar. Moderate tannins and good acidity add to a slightly grippy and appetizing texture. Best 2025–2030.

Wine Spectator, 92 points: Expressive, with bramble and black licorice notes leading off, followed quickly by fresh black cherry and currant preserves. Features flashes of bay leaf and mesquite on the sleek finish, with a strong mineral underpinning as well. Drink now through 2035.