Stephen & Walker, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 This producer is new to me, but we are off to a very good start.  This has all the richness and power one would expect from a young Cabernet from Howell Mountain, but there’s more than just dense fruit in here.  You’ll find savory accents recalling cocoa, toast, tobacco leaf and spices, and all of them are very nicely integrated with the wine’s fruit flavors.  A label to watch, as the 2018 is also excellent.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2021 Critics Challenge International Wine and Spirits Competition.