Mission Codename Mountain G.O.A.T.
True insiders know Robert Craig crushes it. They have a rabid following, a devoted family of fans who scoop their releases year in, year out. Frankly, weâre astounded to have any of this.
From their winery at the very top of Howell Mountain (2300ft) they have been cranking out blockbuster wines since the early 90s, focusing almost exclusively on hillside and mountain fruit sourced from their estate vineyard and also from Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain, and Spring Mountain. If there was a King of the Mountain Cabernet award, Robert Craig would be a front runner.
This pretty little thing is âsuave , silky, and super-polishedâ as Galloni said in his 94 point review. Weâll just call it a MEGATON bomb of a wine, built to last but also approachable right now. It blasts opulent and rich shades of red and black fruit - fresh picked Maine blueberries, ripe black cherry, creamy vanilla and melted milk chocolate. BIG YUM. As CEO and self-proclaimed âtoilet scrubberâ Elton Sloane says, âOur wines are very classic,like an 80âs throwback. Super intense, and made for the cellar. Weâve really stuck to our guns in making fairly priced, small lot, single vineyard, property expressive wines that age for decades.â
Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni have both placed Robert Craig wine on their âBest Buys for Collectable Napa Valley Cabernetâ lists. Wines can get more expensive and more points, but they donât get much better than this - even at their release price, Robert Craigâs wines represent EXCELLENT values. At this price? Itâs like being offered a unicorn ride with rocket boosters. You wouldnât say no to that, would you?
Today, in a rare coup you have access to a wine thatâs not often accessible outside the winery. If you could taste it, youâd buy it - unfortunately you canât download a cyber sip so just trust us and make your move. Not much of this one!
Hereâs what the wine press has to say:
94+ Points - Antonio Galloniâs VInous - âThe 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain is suave, silky and super-polished. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, pomegranate and wild flowers give the 2016 a distinctly exotic quality that is hugely appealing. Medium in body and decidedly gracious, the 2016 speaks to finesse above all else. Although a few years in bottle will only help, the Spring Mountain is the most accessible of these 2016s. Drink 2020-2036.â
What the Winery Says
2016 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Jason Price
- Varietals
- 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
- Vintage
- 2016
- Appellation
- Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Crowley Vineyard
- Alcohol
- 14.8%
- Aging
- 18 months
- Oak:
- 80% new French