We bought this on special at the state store, even before we built our cellar. 2000 was not a great year in California, but the Howell Mountain pedigree showed through. Table talk included the fact that this family owned winery was bought, and isn't the same. They were making good stuff back then. Wine was classic Cali Cab, nicely resolved and balanced. Wish we had bought a few more bottles.
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Reading previous notes made me cautious about this, but no need. There was a surprising amount of fruit left, balanced off by some leather and earth as expected for the age of the bottle. I do know this bottle was stored in ideal conditions; just wish now I could have got more.
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Much better than the other bottle of this wine that I tasted 6 months ago. This one has depth and richness on the palate. Very interesting drink with grilled meat. . A smoky and earthy wine, to be sure
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Not a huge fan on open, a bit sweet almost and some funk. Comes across a bit sharp. With air this blows off a bit and the wine becomes better. The tanins have really receded, making it friendlier, but I liked it more in its more aggressive youth.
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Decanted 4 hours: Dark ink in color with a nose of black currants, plum and dark berries. Wonderfully smooth fruit with balanced acidity. This still has some years to it.
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90-91. Less tight than before. Opened more quickly. Smooth howell mountain fruit with lingering tannins, but the fruit was not as masked and slightly more forward with balanced acidity. A nice effort. Glad i have more at closeout price..
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Still tight. Lots of good balance and more of a bordeaux-like balance and complexity, but the fine grained tannins are drying and hide the medium amount of fruit there. Nice acidity balances out the wine and make it maintain some freshness. Better Day 2 with more complexity coming out and the tannins slightly less pronounced. Probably would have been good far another day as well. Drink with heavy, double decanting or hold. Don't think this will ever be great. 50/50 as to whether this gets better wiith time versus what a long decant will get you. 89-90.
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Compare to previous note. Tannins have become more integrated, but the fruit has begun to recede. This will still be good for next couple years. The aromas have developed very nicely to include leather, cedar and sage. Nicely done, and better than two years ago.
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Excellent. Completely agree with the Bordeaux characterization. Color a bit off but aroma and taste right where they needed to be after brief decanting. Don't see it lasting to 2012 though.
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90-91 pts. Drink this after 3 days decanting(joke). really tight upon open. day 2 is better, day 3 is good. tastes more like a bordeaux than napa in some ways. tight. hold.
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A ripe and concentrated wine with plum, currant, cherry and sage. A nice finish with good structure and tannins. A good representation of Howell Mountain fruit and texture.
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2nd Annual Holiday Party (NW Suburbs Chicago): For a 2000 this has alot of intense fruit and strong tannins. Very good mountain cab even in an off-vintage year. A lot going on in the mouth.
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3/10/2017 - Tony Poli Likes this wine: 92 Points
We bought this on special at the state store, even before we built our cellar. 2000 was not a great year in California, but the Howell Mountain pedigree showed through. Table talk included the fact that this family owned winery was bought, and isn't the same. They were making good stuff back then. Wine was classic Cali Cab, nicely resolved and balanced. Wish we had bought a few more bottles.
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11/26/2016 - ewasowicz wrote: 94 Points
Nose: dark fruit, caramel,
Taste; cassis, oak, some barnyard and low tannins.
It gets better by the hour.
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3/29/2015 - domestic_primate Likes this wine: 91 Points
Reading previous notes made me cautious about this, but no need. There was a surprising amount of fruit left, balanced off by some leather and earth as expected for the age of the bottle. I do know this bottle was stored in ideal conditions; just wish now I could have got more.
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1/9/2015 - Coachron13 wrote: flawed
It's long gone. No fruit left, all dirt in the nose and taste. Couldn't drink it, down the drain.
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10/7/2014 - parkersdad wrote:
Much better than the other bottle of this wine that I tasted 6 months ago. This one has depth and richness on the palate. Very interesting drink with grilled meat. . A smoky and earthy wine, to be sure
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1/11/2014 - parkersdad wrote:
Disappointing for the pedigree. Last sips from bottle after open several days showed more promise. At tasting it seemed like off bottle.
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4/16/2011 - winegr wrote: 87 Points
Not a huge fan on open, a bit sweet almost and some funk. Comes across a bit sharp. With air this blows off a bit and the wine becomes better. The tanins have really receded, making it friendlier, but I liked it more in its more aggressive youth.
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6/30/2010 - mdaniel wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 4 hours: Dark ink in color with a nose of black currants, plum and dark berries. Wonderfully smooth fruit with balanced acidity. This still has some years to it.
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4/4/2010 - winegr wrote:
Some bottle variation. No notes.
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12/10/2009 - 1961Vintage wrote: 91 Points
Great fruit...still has a couple of years to peak...
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11/14/2009 - kkleg wrote: flawed
Slightly corked, but still dark and massive. If I had another bottle I'd hold it for 5+ years before drinking.
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8/2/2009 - winegr wrote: 90 Points
90-91. Less tight than before. Opened more quickly. Smooth howell mountain fruit with lingering tannins, but the fruit was not as masked and slightly more forward with balanced acidity. A nice effort. Glad i have more at closeout price..
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2/22/2009 - winegr wrote: 90 Points
Still tight. Lots of good balance and more of a bordeaux-like balance and complexity, but the fine grained tannins are drying and hide the medium amount of fruit there. Nice acidity balances out the wine and make it maintain some freshness. Better Day 2 with more complexity coming out and the tannins slightly less pronounced. Probably would have been good far another day as well. Drink with heavy, double decanting or hold. Don't think this will ever be great. 50/50 as to whether this gets better wiith time versus what a long decant will get you. 89-90.
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2/14/2009 - WVWine wrote: 89 Points
Started off with typical bordeaux smells and tastes. Went better with food. Did not last long before fading.
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12/19/2008 - matthen wrote: 89 Points
Compare to previous note. Tannins have become more integrated, but the fruit has begun to recede. This will still be good for next couple years. The aromas have developed very nicely to include leather, cedar and sage. Nicely done, and better than two years ago.
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8/22/2008 - PBM wrote:
Excellent. Completely agree with the Bordeaux characterization. Color a bit off but aroma and taste right where they needed to be after brief decanting. Don't see it lasting to 2012 though.
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5/30/2008 - winegr wrote: 90 Points
90-91 pts. Drink this after 3 days decanting(joke). really tight upon open. day 2 is better, day 3 is good. tastes more like a bordeaux than napa in some ways. tight. hold.
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12/25/2007 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Wonderful, cabernet-intense.
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10/19/2006 - matthen wrote: 89 Points
A ripe and concentrated wine with plum, currant, cherry and sage. A nice finish with good structure and tannins. A good representation of Howell Mountain fruit and texture.
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12/10/2005 - GolferChris wrote: 90 Points
2nd Annual Holiday Party (NW Suburbs Chicago): For a 2000 this has alot of intense fruit and strong tannins. Very good mountain cab even in an off-vintage year. A lot going on in the mouth.
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