Scroll to Discover

2018 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Howell Mountain Napa Valley

Shadow Landscape image 2018 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Howell Mountain Napa Valley image number null

Our goal with Dancing Bear is to capture the intense mountain character of fruit from this unique site, perched high above northern Napa Valley on the steep, rugged slopes of Howell Mountain. Small-lot winemaking allows our winemaker to monitor extraction during fermentation so that each lot achieves just the right balance between fruit and tannin. Aging in French oak barrels-predominantly new oak-adds depth to this remarkable wine.

 

"This big, dramatic wine has become a cult classic among lovers of Howell Mountain cabernet sauvignon, including the bears who call this high-elevation estate home. This wine offers generous aromas of black cherry and fig that carry over onto a concentrated, fleshy palate." — Dennis Cakebread

Shadow Landscape image 2018 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Howell Mountain Napa Valley image number null

Awards

Accolades

97+ Points- Wine Advocate
Shadow 2018 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Howell Mountain Napa Valley
  • "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with bold creme de cassis, blackberry pie and tar with a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied and packed with Juicy black fruits, the palate is beautifully framed by plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with loads of fragrant earth and exotic spice accents." — Lisa Perrotti-Brown | Wine Advocate, November, 30 2021

Production Notes

2018 Dancing Bear Ranch
null

Blend

98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cab Franc

Harvest Dates

October 6 - October 9, 2018

Aging

Aged 22 months in 60% new French oak, 40% neutral French oak

Bottled

August 2020

Awards

Accolades

97+ Points- Wine Advocate
Shadow 2018 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Howell Mountain Napa Valley
  • "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with bold creme de cassis, blackberry pie and tar with a waft of crushed rocks. Full-bodied and packed with Juicy black fruits, the palate is beautifully framed by plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with loads of fragrant earth and exotic spice accents." — Lisa Perrotti-Brown | Wine Advocate, November, 30 2021