Launched in 2021, Ink Grade pays homage to Theron Ink, a Napa Valley pioneer who established a ranch on the remote eastern side of Howell Mountain in 1875. The seclusion and wildness of the Howell Mountain landscape became a place of retreat and respite for the Ink family. The vineyard spoke to Theron — set on volcanic soils and a scenic, mountain location.
The Ink Grade Estate Vineyard lies in the north-east corner of the Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley. At an elevation of about 1,500 feet, the estate vineyards boast beautiful views of forested pines and sequoia. The brand was founded by Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr. and the Lawrence family to add to their already impressive portfolio.
The new wines were really good from the challenging 2022 vintage — one that saw severe heat spikes at harvest. These wines were obviously picked on the earlier side, showing seriously good freshness but also good mid-palate depth and power. I love the 2022 Ink Grade ‘Third Circle’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which has amazing soil and stony character throughout the drinking experience. Learn more at https://inkgrade.com/ and here are the beautiful new wines by Ink Grade.
2023 Ink Grade ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2023 Ink Grade ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc offers hay and honeydew melon notes on the nose alongside suggestions of papaya. The palate is rich and unctuous with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of tension and weight. Enjoy this beautiful bottling now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 93
2022 Ink Grade ‘Lost Clouds’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Lost Clouds’ Merlot come from the very top of the ranch and is the highest elevation Merlot in Napa Valley. This shows off beautiful red florals on the nose alongside Hoisin sauce and shades of dark currants with milk chocolate. The palate is soft and fresh with great texture and good length. The volcanic character in the wine is really outstanding. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2022 Ink Grade ‘Third Circle’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from Howell Mountain, the ‘Third Circle’ comes from this east to north facing slope with vines set on gravelly loam and volcanic ash. The nose is wonderfully stony with red florals that combine with huckleberry and mountain blackberry notes. The palate is both fresh and viscous with great energy and flavor density. Drinking marvelously right now with some great stony character, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2022 Ink Grade ‘Prophet’s Water’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Ink Grade ‘Prophet’s Water’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a red, gravelly loam hillside on Howell Mountain. This is very fresh and mineral-laden on the palate, with medium bodied red and dark fruits that parade with rocky soils, copious minerals and shades of wintergreen on the palate. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2022 Ink Grade ‘Buddha’s Belly’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Ink Grade ‘Buddha’s Belly’ Cabernet Sauvignon is marvelously stony and salty on the mouth — loaded with nuance. Baking spices and thyme combine with crushed wet rock, anise seed, tobacco and shades of dark currants alongside yellow bell pepper on the palate. Round and soft on the mouth, with a refined texture, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95