Good old-tasting stuff, nose full of library books; leather, tannins ready to let loose like old bindings, fruit holding on for its dear life. Probably past prime by 2 years but very enjoyable. Would buy more if I could, spent it's life in Bill Smith's cellar and a mere day or two in mine.
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Served Christmas day with beef tenderloin, and it paired very nicely. Its maturity: the slight browning on the rim, melted tannins, and soft, aged feel on the mouth was a big surprise. That's not a knock though, as the wine showed classic Cali cab typicity, albeit a little one-dimensional, in a polished, food-friendly package. Very enjoyable Christmas wine.
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Double decanted. Restrained nose upon opening. Lots of earth and leather. As this remained open the fruit began to come to the front. Finish still a little awkward but still a very interesting drink.I suspect another 2 years in the cellar would benfit this. Low alcohol and light body for a California cab--a refreshing change.
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Double decanted. This wine was very closed upon opening and was not revealing much fruit. As the night wore on the darlk fruit profile became more evident after 3-4 hours. Notes of spice and cedar with good tannins. The finish was little awkard.
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Served this wine blind to my brother and he guessed pinot!! The wine did not display and typical cab flavors. The wine was good but not what I expected from mountain fruit.
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Dark, rich ruby color. Big, fully accessible nose of black currants, blueberries, vanilla and spice box. Big and rich on the palate, with somewhat angular tannins. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Decanted for one hour prior to drinking. Thick but clean deep cherry color. Nose of wet earth, stewed berries, sweet oak. Full bodied with fine mouthfeel, tons of tannins but they're relatively round. I think that this might be longer lived than the 2003, but less of a pleasure to drink. Needs a few years in the cellar to shed its youth.
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Bill and Joan Smith's most recent venture. Medium to full bodied. Very tannic, but not as much as other Howell Mtn Cabs at this age. Dark ruby red in the glass with a nose that was muted at first but became reminiscent of an 02 Neal later in the evening. Although it has good texture, it's not as luscious a body as Neal's 02. Not an intellectual wine, but a wine that I had a hard time putting down. I am glad to be one of the first to discover this wine. I won't touch the remainder of my stash for another 2 years.
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12/16/2015 - twain Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good old-tasting stuff, nose full of library books; leather, tannins ready to let loose like old bindings, fruit holding on for its dear life. Probably past prime by 2 years but very enjoyable. Would buy more if I could, spent it's life in Bill Smith's cellar and a mere day or two in mine.
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12/25/2011 - Billigan wrote: 90 Points
Served Christmas day with beef tenderloin, and it paired very nicely. Its maturity: the slight browning on the rim, melted tannins, and soft, aged feel on the mouth was a big surprise. That's not a knock though, as the wine showed classic Cali cab typicity, albeit a little one-dimensional, in a polished, food-friendly package. Very enjoyable Christmas wine.
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6/18/2011 - woodwardcellar wrote: 89 Points
Rich, tannins fully melted. Great with lamb chops. It was perfectly ready to go.
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1/9/2010 - woodwardcellar wrote: 89 Points
Good, dark fruit in this. It definitely can use some time in the decanter before consumption.
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3/15/2007 - popquizkid wrote: 89 Points
Double decanted. Restrained nose upon opening. Lots of earth and leather. As this remained open the fruit began to come to the front. Finish still a little awkward but still a very interesting drink.I suspect another 2 years in the cellar would benfit this. Low alcohol and light body for a California cab--a refreshing change.
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12/1/2006 - popquizkid wrote: 88 Points
Double decanted. This wine was very closed upon opening and was not revealing much fruit. As the night wore on the darlk fruit profile became more evident after 3-4 hours. Notes of spice and cedar with good tannins. The finish was little awkard.
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10/26/2006 - Big Dog wrote: 90 Points
Served this wine blind to my brother and he guessed pinot!! The wine did not display and typical cab flavors. The wine was good but not what I expected from mountain fruit.
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2/1/2006 - burningstarIV wrote: 91 Points
Dark, rich ruby color. Big, fully accessible nose of black currants, blueberries, vanilla and spice box. Big and rich on the palate, with somewhat angular tannins. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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5/2/2005 - burningstarIV wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for one hour prior to drinking. Thick but clean deep cherry color. Nose of wet earth, stewed berries, sweet oak. Full bodied with fine mouthfeel, tons of tannins but they're relatively round. I think that this might be longer lived than the 2003, but less of a pleasure to drink. Needs a few years in the cellar to shed its youth.
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2/17/2005 - steffenpelz wrote: 89 Points
Bill and Joan Smith's most recent venture. Medium to full bodied. Very tannic, but not as much as other Howell Mtn Cabs at this age. Dark ruby red in the glass with a nose that was muted at first but became reminiscent of an 02 Neal later in the evening. Although it has good texture, it's not as luscious a body as Neal's 02. Not an intellectual wine, but a wine that I had a hard time putting down. I am glad to be one of the first to discover this wine. I won't touch the remainder of my stash for another 2 years.
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