| Search: (advanced) |
External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Intl. Wine Cellar
BurgHound
WineZap
Vinquire
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2007
2006
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
| Home | All Cellars | Tasting Notes | Reports | Users | Help | Member Sign In |
2006 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon Obsidian |
| Vintage | 2006 |  | |
| Type | Red | ||
| Producer | Arkenstone | ||
| Variety | Cabernet Sauvignon | ||
| Designation | Obsidian | ||
| Vineyard | n/a | ||
| Country | USA | ||
| Region | California | ||
| SubRegion | Napa Valley | ||
| Appellation | Howell Mountain |
| Community Tasting History |
Community Tasting Notes (average 93.7 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 12 notes) | |
| Tasted by JJB007 on 8/20/2010 & rated 84 points: really needs to breathe (139 views) | |
| Tasted by JJB007 on 7/23/2010 & rated 99 points: wonderful, this a wnderful cab- it is soft pepperry, oky and berryish (381 views) | |
| Tasted by bhalljr on 7/13/2010 & rated 93 points: (449 views) | |
| Tasted by pting on 6/5/2010 & rated 92 points: (673 views) | |
| Tasted by Btrue on 4/22/2010 & rated 94 points: (927 views) | |
| Tasted by bhalljr on 3/20/2010 & rated 93 points: Bottle much better than the first. Probably had more time to settle from being shipped. Tannins were nice for a 4 year old bottle of wine. I would highly recommend someone trying this winery. (1289 views) | |
| Tasted by bhalljr on 1/9/2010 & rated 93 points: I have read the great reviews here and wanted to taste for myself. There were 3 tasters including myself on this wine this evening. We all agreed this is a good, well made wine. The tannins were evident but not too overbearing. The initial nose on opening the bottle was very spicy and peppery. After a brief decanting and pouring into my glass, I swirled the wine aggressively and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes. I then sniffed the glass smelling a caramel butterscotch mixed with vanilla and lavender that was awesome. The taste was the lacking part. We agreed there was the making of something incredible but it wasn't quite there yet. I will definitely put my remaining bottles down for a few more years. Not a bad first vintage at all!!! Can't wait for the '07's (1628 views) | |
| Tasted by bleedvino on 1/4/2010 & rated 97 points: For a Howell Mountain Cab, this sure is approachable. The tannins are there, but they don't outmuscle the fruit. This wine has great balance, and will continue to improve for years. Cant wait to get my hands on the 07's! (1818 views) | |
| Tasted by Mike V on 12/24/2009 & rated 94 points: I have tried a lot of the cult wannabe wines. Futo, Seven Stones, Dancing Hares, etc. This is the real thing. Dark nearly black. soaring nose. And most notably a palate that is full of fruit but not overly sweet. Classic cab hitting on all cylinders. (1774 views) | |
| Tasted by schrader on 12/6/2009 & rated 93 points: (1626 views) | |
| Tasted by rwstorer on 11/24/2009 & rated 97 points: Dark purple/red in color with a nose of ripe red fruits, vanilla and cedar. This was popped and poured and consumed over about an hour. Flavors of extremely rich plum (on the good side of plum) unfolding into a mix of cassis and blueberry. Secondary flavors of cedar, buttery vanilla with a surprising balance. Balance - this is the word that keeps popping up in my head. The four of us tasters were stunned that a 2006 Howell Mountain cab was so approachable now. The finish seems to go on for days with a little tannic grip that reminds you of the power of this wine. I would compare the richness of this wine to Schrader, Harlan and Colgin and certainly much better than Ovid, Realm, Maybach and possibly Futo. Wow. (1981 views) | |
| Tasted by jaylew1 on 10/29/2009 & rated 95 points: There have been a number of high profile Cabernet startups in Napa in the last couple of years. Seven Stones, Ovid, Futo...but I think this might be the winner of the bunch. What a terrific, well-made mountain cab. It's a big wine, there is oak for sure, but it seems nicely balanced by the rich red fruit flavors. I know its hard to convey, but this wine is more sophisticated than most US Cabs, this is a bouquet of flowers, not a sledgehammer. (2206 views) |
| CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles) |
| [1]
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
This first release of Obsidian celebrates the years of planning, planting and maturation of the vines at Arkenstone. Well worth the wait, this luscious, well structured dark garnet colored beauty reveals sweet aromatics of macerated cherries, brambleberries, cassis, figs, and black licorice. Enticing underlying notes reveal shaved black truffle, rich earth, sage and clove. On the palate Obsidian displays finely grained, supple tannins, well integrated acidity, and a satiny soft mouthfeel culminating in an extremely long and elegant finish. This blend is showing beautifully right now and will also celler well into the next two decades.
450 cases produced
Alc. 14.5%
About Red Wines Varietal character (Appellation America) [Requires a subscription payment for information.] WineAmerica (National Association of American Wineries) | Free the Grapes! California Wines (Wine Institute of California) California is one of the most diverse wine regions in the world, with almost 100 grape varieties grown in over 100 viticultural areas, including dozens of different microclimates and soil types, as well as a very individualistic set of winemakers, many with international experience, which adds to and deepens that diversity. Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners) | Article in CellarTracker Howell Mountain |
© 2003-10 CellarTracker! LLC. All rights reserved. "CellarTracker!" is a trademark of CellarTracker! LLC. No part of this website may be used, reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of CellarTracker! LLC. (CellarTracker! Terms and Conditions. Version 3.11.0) - Follow us on Twitter
