Served with NY Strips, this was a pretty classic Cali Cab. It was good, and seemed on the verge of releasing a bit more depth or complexity, but it just never got there. If anything, the later night and second day pours had lost a bit. A trifle disappointing, nevertheless about a 92 showing.
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From a Magnum we gave it about an hour decant and drank over next couple hours with family celebrating a big birthday. Have never had this wine before but everyone loved it. Upon open obviously a bit tight being a mag but after the hour decant everything was singing nice dark cherry fruit some cassis and just a lovely wine and continued to deliver over the next couple hours. Wish maybe I'd bought a few more. From a magnum format I'd say it's got a some good years to go for sure.
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One-hour decant through a screened and aerating funnel. Big nose of blackberries emanated forth during decant. In the glass, wine was clear; dark bowl to rim, with a big clear halo. After resting, nose of blackberry compote, some licorice, and a hint of vanilla. But no fruit bomb. Very nice balance and the acid made it a perfect accompaniment to a buttered steak. Long, long finish. I actually think I drank this a little early, but it was very good.
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Outstanding! Deep, dark color. Initially tight but opened up beautifully in about an hour. Think Blackberry pie, rich & opulent with dark berry fruit, licorice hints. With Petit Filet, Mac & cheese - a bit of smoked Gouda was Devine!
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Cedar/ licorice/ earthy with blue/black fruit. Have some of your fav chocolate handy. Allow to open up/ decant. Drinkable now yet will likely do well in the next few years (4-7.)
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This wine is really coming along nicely. Drank it over two days. The second day was spectacular! Ladera's description of powerful, yet elegant, with flavorful plum, blackberry and black cherry is really spot on. This is a powerhouse wine. Very happy I still have 8 bottles left.
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Nose: Nice earth and fruit and some oak/wood (imagine an old or aged wooden box, in a good way).
Palate: Good fruit (like berries) and good amount of tannin.. full bodied, concentrated.. seems to be almost very extracted (from the oak aging). A little too hot though (14.4% alc).
I can see why people are saying give it some time and air.. it's a little too hot. The tannins are very strong (is that what people mean when they say musclar?) and the oak almost comes through too much but still enjoyable. I know I'm almost contradicting myself on this one..
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Surprised this one is not getting more love. Clearly not ready. Closed on initial opening even after several hours of air. By day two, showing balance and signs of what’s to come. Rich complex palette of elegant dark fruit, graphite, and tobacco. Highly concentrated. Zero off-putting jaminess. I tasted this shortly after release last year. It overwhelmed with powerful tannins but showed finesse so I brought several bottles. One year later, its progress has me enthusiastic. This is a Howell Mountain cabernet that I will predict will mature into one of the finest of the early decade from the region. Wait another five years or so. I’m adding more to my cellar.
The note below describes it well. Big and rich, but with earthiness, some sweet tobacco, and all without being too ripe or jammy. This bottle was shared by a friend, and we appreciate it -- but now looking at the price, I'm reminded why these dramatic Napa creatures and their ilk are simply no longer our preference in our own cellar. Happy enough to to drink it when offered, however.
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Delivers a style similar to the 2012 vintage. Deep fragrant aromas manifesting in notes of blackberry & blueberry, highlighted by cinnamon & nutmeg spice. Powerful yet elegant with palate displays of plum, & cherry. A must own for any Cab collector. With only 1600 cases produced.
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4/21/2024 - billcarey20 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good expression of a Howell Mountain Cab. Fruit forward, but not too much. Full bodied with nice tannins.
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1/14/2023 - MindMuse wrote:
Served with NY Strips, this was a pretty classic Cali Cab. It was good, and seemed on the verge of releasing a bit more depth or complexity, but it just never got there. If anything, the later night and second day pours had lost a bit. A trifle disappointing, nevertheless about a 92 showing.
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12/16/2022 - OenophilistMN Likes this wine: 94 Points
Identical profile to my note of 8-1-2022.
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9/28/2022 - redmancge Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a Magnum we gave it about an hour decant and drank over next couple hours with family celebrating a big birthday. Have never had this wine before but everyone loved it. Upon open obviously a bit tight being a mag but after the hour decant everything was singing nice dark cherry fruit some cassis and just a lovely wine and continued to deliver over the next couple hours. Wish maybe I'd bought a few more. From a magnum format I'd say it's got a some good years to go for sure.
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8/1/2022 - OenophilistMN wrote: 94 Points
One-hour decant through a screened and aerating funnel. Big nose of blackberries emanated forth during decant. In the glass, wine was clear; dark bowl to rim, with a big clear halo. After resting, nose of blackberry compote, some licorice, and a hint of vanilla. But no fruit bomb. Very nice balance and the acid made it a perfect accompaniment to a buttered steak. Long, long finish. I actually think I drank this a little early, but it was very good.
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9/28/2021 - pvewino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drink in the sweet spot of 1.5 - 3 hours after opening. Starts to fade after that.
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8/22/2021 - pvewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic now. Go ahead and work through cellar on this one. Give an hour or so to breathe and be careful of all the sediment.
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7/16/2021 - pvewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing wine drinking well right now. Give it at least 30-60 minutes to open up. Big, bold. Lots of sediment present, so handle bottle carefully.
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1/2/2021 - pvewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consistent with last note
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10/18/2020 - Mdubnik Likes this wine: 95 Points
PnP was good; needed 30 minutes to become great. Faded at 2.5 hours
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10/6/2020 - Lawino7 wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding! Deep, dark color. Initially tight but opened up beautifully in about an hour. Think Blackberry pie, rich & opulent with dark berry fruit, licorice hints. With Petit Filet, Mac & cheese - a bit of smoked Gouda was Devine!
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3/20/2020 - pvewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consistent with my last note. Drinking very well right now. Give it an hour to open up and you will be set for the evening.
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10/23/2019 - Lawino7 wrote: 95 Points
Cedar/ licorice/ earthy with blue/black fruit. Have some of your fav chocolate handy. Allow to open up/ decant. Drinkable now yet will likely do well in the next few years (4-7.)
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10/20/2018 - pvewino Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is really coming along nicely. Drank it over two days. The second day was spectacular! Ladera's description of powerful, yet elegant, with flavorful plum, blackberry and black cherry is really spot on. This is a powerhouse wine. Very happy I still have 8 bottles left.
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5/26/2018 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose: Nice earth and fruit and some oak/wood (imagine an old or aged wooden box, in a good way).
Palate: Good fruit (like berries) and good amount of tannin.. full bodied, concentrated.. seems to be almost very extracted (from the oak aging). A little too hot though (14.4% alc).
I can see why people are saying give it some time and air.. it's a little too hot. The tannins are very strong (is that what people mean when they say musclar?) and the oak almost comes through too much but still enjoyable. I know I'm almost contradicting myself on this one..
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5/20/2018 - napadirt wrote: 95 Points
Surprised this one is not getting more love. Clearly not ready. Closed on initial opening even after several hours of air. By day two, showing balance and signs of what’s to come. Rich complex palette of elegant dark fruit, graphite, and tobacco. Highly concentrated. Zero off-putting jaminess. I tasted this shortly after release last year. It overwhelmed with powerful tannins but showed finesse so I brought several bottles. One year later, its progress has me enthusiastic. This is a Howell Mountain cabernet that I will predict will mature into one of the finest of the early decade from the region. Wait another five years or so. I’m adding more to my cellar.
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3/15/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Rich, deep and round, with dark chocolate covered cherry, blackberry, cassis and tobacco notes. The wine has depth and polish and good character.
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3/17/2017 - pvewino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Terrific wine, but needs more time.
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11/19/2016 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
The note below describes it well. Big and rich, but with earthiness, some sweet tobacco, and all without being too ripe or jammy. This bottle was shared by a friend, and we appreciate it -- but now looking at the price, I'm reminded why these dramatic Napa creatures and their ilk are simply no longer our preference in our own cellar. Happy enough to to drink it when offered, however.
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10/29/2016 - cjfromnj wrote:
Delivers a style similar to the 2012 vintage. Deep fragrant aromas manifesting in notes of blackberry & blueberry, highlighted by cinnamon & nutmeg spice. Powerful yet elegant with palate displays of plum, & cherry. A must own for any Cab collector. With only 1600 cases produced.
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4/18/2015 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 88 Points
30th Addy Bassin's California Barrel Tasting (The Mandarin Oriental Hotel): 88+
fruiter than the 2012 but needs time very youthful
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4/18/2015 - cab blends wrote: 91 Points
California Tasting (Barrel Tasting and an slight older): This was a barrel tasting. A little more fruit on the nose than the 2012 but cleary young with significant body. 8/10 in tannins
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