Arkenstone Estate Howell Mountain 2019

99 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Estate Red is another magical wine from winemaker Sam Kaplan. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Malbec, all from the estate on Howell Mountain, it offers up a dense purple hue to go with stunningly pure cassis and darker currant fruits, full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a complex, nuanced style in its leafy herbs, flowers, scorched earth, and classy oak aromas and flavors. It’s brilliant any way you look at it. Hide bottles for 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following three decades. Drink: 2026-2057. (3/10/22)"

97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2019 Howell Mountain Estate Red Blend is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with bold notions of crème de cassis, baked black plums and tilled soil, plus hints of bay leaves, charcoal and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, rich and layered in the mouth, it has lots of earthy and savory nuances with a firm and grainy texture, finishing on a lingering black truffle note. Drink: 2024-2049. (Nov 2021)"

97 points Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast): "[$225 list] This mountain-grown blend of Bordeaux varieties, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, offers power with polish. Massive but fine-grained tannins saturate a rich palate of black currants, blueberries and dark chocolate, giving the structure for aging. While tempting now for its suave texture and rich flavors, the wine will gain even more complexity and smoothness from 2028–2040. Alcohol 14.8%. (Apr 2023)"

95.5 points CellarTracker.com community score.

93 points Wine Spectator: "[$225 list] Juicy, ripe and brimming with coiled-up energy, this pushes a range of açaí, blackberry and mulberry fruit flavors to the fore, while licorice root, tar and bramble course underneath. The tarry grip keeps a fresh edge on the finish, letting the fruit flavors extend in unison. Rock-solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. Best from 2024 through 2036. 690 cases made. (4/30/23)"