"Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to be in mountain vineyards, where the true character of a great Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from the distinctive soils and climate of those high elevations." ROBERT CRAIG Vintner Emeritus Founded in 1992, Robert Craig Winery is situated along the summit ridge of Howell Mountain at 2,300 feet of elevation. We specialize in small-lot, mountain grown cabernets that feature their shy bearing growing sites in the finished wines. In conjunction with our winery's neighboring vineyard parcel, we own more than 100 acres of Howell Mountain property and farm 35 planted acres there of the finest cabernet variety vineyards anywhere in the world. In addition to the two Howell Mountain vineyards, we own and farm 17 acres of hillside vineyard for our Affinity Cabernet in southern Napa Valley on the lower slopes of Mount George. We also produce a small amount of Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain District, and Diamond Mountain District cabernet from tremendous vineyards in those respective AVA's, each of which is situated above 1,850' in elevation.Our winery founder, Robert Craig, has been farming mountain cabernet in the Napa Valley since 1980, and he was a key player in the formation of the Mount Veeder and Spring Mountain AVA's. In this tradition, our small winery continues to produce complex, cellar-worthy cabernet sauvignons from mountain vineyard sites in the Napa Valley. Each successive vintage gives us an opportunity to honor these rare growing sites and Bob Craig's pioneering efforts to introduce people around the world to the unique intensity of mountain grown cabernet sauvignons from the Napa Valley. For Robert Craig, winemaking always begins with the vineyards -- more specifically, with his belief in the crucial importance of vineyard location in producing wines of tremendous depth and character. By concentrating on small quantities of wine from distinctive Napa Valley mountain vineyards, he has been able to create wines that reflect the impact of "terroir," or the combination of soils, climate and viticultural characteristics of the growing locale. Our winemaking philosophy builds upon the best that the winegrowing appellation has to offer. The goal is to let each wine's special personality and unique qualities shine through.
52cCalifornia » Napa Valley
James Suckling 93 This subtly tarry blend of 80 percent cabernet sauvignon with merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot, offers a nicely resolved array of
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Malbec 2018 was a tremendous vintage in the Napa Valley and this new red wine cuveé shows all of the
James Suckling 94 “Very pretty stones, oyster shell, blueberries and underbrush character. The palate is very composed with lots of bright, tangy fruit, grainy tannins and
James Suckling 93 “Aromas of ripe fruit, walnuts and dark chocolate with some cloves. Full body, chewy tannins and a extracted finish. Lots of phenolic character.
James Suckling 94 "The blueberry and blackberry aromas are prevailing here with a spearmint and fresh herb undertone. Full body, chewy tannins and slightly austere now,
Robert Parker 92 "The least expensive wine is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity, the estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the foothills just south of Stag’s Leap blended
Antonio Galloni Vinous 92 "The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is the most accessible of the 2011 Cabernets I tasted from Robert Craig. Iron, smoke, tobacco, underbrush
Robert Parker 92 "Tar, licorice, scorched earth and incense are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in Robert Craig’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Robert Craig 92 "The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity bursts from the glass with an exciting array of dark red berries, flowers, licorice and sweet spices. Floral
Wine Advocate 89 "Robert Craig's 2008 Affinity, which is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec,
Robert Parker 96 "The 2007 Affinity exhibits more graphite, but in essence is similarly elegant, with supple tannins (although more velvety than in the 2006), very
Robert Parker 92 "The 2006 Affinity is a steal for a high-quality Napa Cabernet-based wine (actually 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot Robert Parker 90 "The most well-balanced of this trio is the 2005 Affinity. Its deep
Wine Spectator 90 "Tight and firmly structured. . .with a chewy mix of tannins and cedary oak. . .spicy currant, herb, tar and black olive notes.
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