January 29, 2023 - Double decant and started drinking 30 min in. Unimpressive at first, olives and balsamic notes, so much so I went and got another bottle.
Returned 2 hrs in and the initial notes had transformed into red and bluish fruit without the typical Howell Mtn notes. Oak and tannins at bay. Good not great. My only bottle but I will not seek more.
November 10, 2022 - Dark, black red/purple with brick red edges. Nose of anise, baking spice, and black cherry. As it opened over 5 hour decant the wine went more to dark fruit and cherry. Smooth and rich with grippy tannins. An interesting, if unexpected taste of mushroom and leather as it finishes. This was in some ways a modern Napa cab, although I wouldn't peg this as a Howell Mountain, but it is more faded and aged than I would expect. Fruit is there. So are tannins. But without the complexity or freshness. Ripeness and alcohol comes through. Reading prior notes this sounds like one that hit peak at 2017 or 2018. Disappointing as I've held it since release.
April 28, 2021 - Smooth and polished. Drinking beautifully now. Fruit fading without the complex nuances I was hoping for. Drink soon.
June 16, 2019 - Deep ruby red. Floral and black fruit attack on the nose with some light bramble berries and baking spices. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) with a medium plus to full body. Lots of dried dark berries on the palate with a dry mouthfeel and some spices, pencil shavings and minerality. Long finish. Drink till 2037.
August 3, 2017 - Another stunning wine from John Boich.
Blackberry, black tea and clove on the palate with a nose to match.
The tannins are strong now, but after a 45 minute decant, it opened up beautifully which gives an indication of how this wine will evolve over the next few years.
February 6, 2017 - Dark ruby red. Floral attack with dried black cherries, red mountain berries and baking spices on the nose. As it opened up there was a stronger aroma of cinnamon, vanilla and spiced herbs. Heavy tannins (8.5/10) with tons of structure. Great backbone with a slight dustiness on the palate. Lots of dried dark berries on the palate. Full bodied with a slightly dry long finish. This can easily last 20+ years. Drink till 2038. (97+)
February 6, 2017 - Napa Visit with wine makers and owners; 2/3/2017-2/8/2017 (Napa, CA): I really enjoyed this.
More strawberry on the nose than the other cabs in the lineup. Also has cassis on the nose.
Strong powerful tannins at 8.5/10 and very dry in the finish. Hopefully the dryness subsides a little in the future.
Other than the dryness, this is distinctively Napa.
October 22, 2016 - Boich 2016 (Mayacama Country Club, Santa Rosa): The inaugural release of this wine from the Howell Mountain appellation, Boich's Howell Mountain Select is exactly what you might expect from a young Cabernet from the region: bold and dark blue and black berry fruit (much more so than the higher-registered GIII), black currant, and some black slate (minerality).
Wonderfully dense in comparison to the GIII, and notably more complete, the Howell Mountain coated the mid-palate with decent vibrancy framing the core fruit. 93+ points with another year in bottle to help to better integrate the flavors. An interesting wine with some nice upside in the coming 2-5 years.