Hoping it was just an off bottle, but not thinking that was the case, seems to have turned from the last time tasted, 2 yrs ago.
Seemed to be Really Ripe, almost... i hate to say, Caymus like! Seemed to be all fruit and nothing much else.
I have two more bottles and will pop one sooner than later to see if just an off bottle.. and will make sure my non wine drinking - Caymus loving friends are present to polish it off if drinking the same ... lol
Last minute gathering to say farewell to some friends moving to Vegas, so no decant and bottle was polished off within 15 minutes of opening.
Mostly black fruit maybe with a small hit of red, think this bottle would definitely benefited with a hour or more decant, as all the components were there, just needed some air time.
Drank alongside, '13 Neal Cab, 18 Rivers M Herb Lamb, Nine Suns (think it was an 18), 16 Bevan Tench, and 16 Switchback, so was the "old man" of the group, but definitely held its own, a bit less expressive on the fruit, but was enjoyed by all.
Think with a hour or two decant might elevate a point more, definitely excellent crafted bottle, and holding nicely. Really dont see it getting any better than it is now, but also no rush to drink.
Think it will hold easily for another 5-10 years, so finding the CT "Drink Dates" a bit on the conservative side.
can't say I really liked this bottle...persistent hard, lean edge that felt like the fruit was somewhat stripped..maybe just needed more air but I don't think a great bottle
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Crowd pleaser. Gave it some air. Full bodied Napa cab. Lots of ripe fruit, very pleasant. Paired with food. Could probably stand on its own. Nice finish.
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Blackberries and currants with some coconut oil, pencil shavings, and soft gingerbread at the margins giving umami lift and distinction. Expansive and suave in the mouth with a long, tapered finish. I think this would be identifiable in a blind tasting as a luxury Napa cab but so what, this is actually a decent QPR all things considered. One guest declared it the best wine he had ever tasted. Served with medium-rare American Waygu with truffle salt, plus gruyere and garlic mashed potatoes.
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Opened nicely within 30 minutes. Smooth from the start and expression increased over the hour it took to complete the bottle. Really nice and ready to drink.
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Good wine, acidic backbone through the mid palate. Wish there was a bit more fruit through the mid palate and finish. Nose was nice but not intoxicating. Iffy on whether I would buy again st this price point. Probably need to taste a bit more.
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Four-hour decant; rebottled for transit to restaurant with second 30-minute decant. Beautiful violet color and nose. A good deal of sediment, be careful. The tannins have receded to reveal more layers of lush fruit. Stunning example of Howell terroir. I see drinking window listed above ending 2020 - that seems way short to me!
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Gorgeous bright fruit, loads of red fruit and subtle tanning. Loved this wine. Drank after having a 2004 Viader V, which was gorgeous, but bold and leathery, with lots of cedar. Was a great but this is better. Lovely drinkable wine, not too big, but enough character to be a great drinking wine today. Should Open one of these for the 2017 Christmas Party...
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A year since last try; can still use more bottle rest. Lovely dark fruit, with firm tannins that are only just beginning to round out. Beautiful and elegant nose in spite of its youth. Hold for major reward, but drinking pretty well now if you can aerate aggressively. I wish I hadn't promised my wife I'd take a year off wine buying, as this is one vertical I'd like to aggressively pursue.
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Decanted for 6 hours, then poured back into bottle and carried to restaurant. I was worried about whether this was approachable at this point and was presently surprised. Strong dark fruit with some meaty flavors. Only a bit of Howell Mountain terroir spice, which was a bit of a surprise. Dark, almost black. Outstanding wine.
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Vinturi decant, but wasn't long enough. (Shame on me!) The nose, no pun intended, was absolutely intoxicating, and made you want to gulp, rather than sip, this Howell Mountain beauty. Dark fruit very evident with a touch of blueberry making a brief appearance. While it's a bit tannic right now with just a tiny spot of heat, those small blemishes will certainly fade to zero once this gets some cellar rest. Lovely stuff that will only get better! Up one point since last try six months ago.
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Opened and tasted the bottle on Friday night and finished it Sunday evening with dinner. Friday night it was good, albeit heavy with tannins. By the time Sunday came around the wine was much softer and easier to drink....There is a great deal of potential for this wine to be a stunner in the coming years. The wine is really good now, but I plan on waiting several years before I open my next bottle!
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Already outstanding and it will improve for at least a decade. Massive amounts of sweet fruit, not too heavy on the oak, and a multitude of medium tannins this is a total crowd pleaser. Hard to resist
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Pop 'n pour infanticide. Nearly black; mouth-staining darkness coats your palate and won't let go. Stiff tannins point to long life, but this needs a little rest. Fruit certainly in the back-background, but if you love Howell Mountain CAbs the way I do, you can tell that this is going to bloom into something special. I'd be interested to see what this would be like if you aired it out, but, unfortunately I didn't (my bad!) Hold for major reward. Primary right now, lil heat on the nose, but I have ultra-high expectations... Day 2 update: nose still reticent, but lovely dark fruit/plum/raisin palate trying to emerge; yeah, this is gonna get good!
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Very young bottle but I had to open it -- let it sit for about 2 hours before we drank it -- tight structure, solid tannins and background fruit -- excellent example of howell mountain fruit -- I think 2010 fruit was mild in most cabs I've tried -- let's see what happens over time.
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9/27/2023 - Ed B Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP with appetizers. No detailed notes. Good at first and opened up nicely over the next hour. Rave reviews from knowledgeable guest.
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9/13/2023 - Cabernet4me2 wrote: 90 Points
Hoping it was just an off bottle, but not thinking that was the case, seems to have turned from the last time tasted, 2 yrs ago.
Seemed to be Really Ripe, almost... i hate to say, Caymus like! Seemed to be all fruit and nothing much else.
I have two more bottles and will pop one sooner than later to see if just an off bottle.. and will make sure my non wine drinking - Caymus loving friends are present to polish it off if drinking the same ... lol
Cheers
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7/25/2022 - Ed B Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP. No detailed notes Really good.
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7/10/2022 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. Can't argue with new world Napa cabs. Having said that, nothing incredibly spectacular. Quite drinkable.
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8/4/2021 - Cabernet4me2 wrote: 93 Points
Last minute gathering to say farewell to some friends moving to Vegas, so no decant and bottle was polished off within 15 minutes of opening.
Mostly black fruit maybe with a small hit of red, think this bottle would definitely benefited with a hour or more decant, as all the components were there, just needed some air time.
Drank alongside, '13 Neal Cab, 18 Rivers M Herb Lamb, Nine Suns (think it was an 18), 16 Bevan Tench, and 16 Switchback, so was the "old man" of the group, but definitely held its own, a bit less expressive on the fruit, but was enjoyed by all.
Think with a hour or two decant might elevate a point more, definitely excellent crafted bottle, and holding nicely. Really dont see it getting any better than it is now, but also no rush to drink.
Think it will hold easily for another 5-10 years, so finding the CT "Drink Dates" a bit on the conservative side.
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6/21/2021 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 93 Points
Amazing
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4/24/2021 - Ed B Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP at a dinner party. No detailed notes. Drinking well now.
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12/25/2020 - Reblin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth, balanced, ample fruit, nice finish. Opened 2 hours before drinking.
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9/16/2020 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 92 Points
Great wine - classic HM taste and feel -- good value buy
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4/21/2020 - Mr T wrote:
can't say I really liked this bottle...persistent hard, lean edge that felt like the fruit was somewhat stripped..maybe just needed more air but I don't think a great bottle
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12/25/2019 - Reblin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Full-bodied, deep fruit, good finish. Still has years left.
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12/25/2019 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Crowd pleaser. Gave it some air. Full bodied Napa cab. Lots of ripe fruit, very pleasant. Paired with food. Could probably stand on its own. Nice finish.
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7/9/2019 - DENNISREITZ wrote: 95 Points
- It's balanced with a medium/full body. Juicy texture with a long finish - Just delicious as others have noted!
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6/23/2019 - Deryl Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted about 30 minutes. Nicely resolved, drink now. Wonderful example of Howell Mtn cab. Big TRB style.
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4/20/2018 - RMundell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking really good right now.
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3/30/2018 - silton Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blackberries and currants with some coconut oil, pencil shavings, and soft gingerbread at the margins giving umami lift and distinction. Expansive and suave in the mouth with a long, tapered finish. I think this would be identifiable in a blind tasting as a luxury Napa cab but so what, this is actually a decent QPR all things considered. One guest declared it the best wine he had ever tasted. Served with medium-rare American Waygu with truffle salt, plus gruyere and garlic mashed potatoes.
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2/28/2018 - IGN WINESNOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened nicely within 30 minutes. Smooth from the start and expression increased over the hour it took to complete the bottle. Really nice and ready to drink.
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1/7/2018 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decnted for 2 hrs. Aroma was perfect. Is incredibly approachable, as in great balance of ripe fruit and a tannic finish. I might have underscored it!!
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11/19/2017 - Bobbusch wrote: 91 Points
Slow ox for an hour. Definitely needed some air. The wine opened up and revealed some nice stone fruit undertones. This wine is still in its youth.
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10/21/2017 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good wine, acidic backbone through the mid palate. Wish there was a bit more fruit through the mid palate and finish. Nose was nice but not intoxicating. Iffy on whether I would buy again st this price point. Probably need to taste a bit more.
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8/2/2017 - robertdtwo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Four-hour decant; rebottled for transit to restaurant with second 30-minute decant. Beautiful violet color and nose. A good deal of sediment, be careful. The tannins have receded to reveal more layers of lush fruit. Stunning example of Howell terroir. I see drinking window listed above ending 2020 - that seems way short to me!
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6/25/2017 - Dooms Likes this wine:
Gorgeous bright fruit, loads of red fruit and subtle tanning. Loved this wine. Drank after having a 2004 Viader V, which was gorgeous, but bold and leathery, with lots of cedar. Was a great but this is better. Lovely drinkable wine, not too big, but enough character to be a great drinking wine today. Should Open one of these for the 2017 Christmas Party...
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2/14/2017 - IGN WINESNOB Likes this wine: 96 Points
How about it! This was smooth and beautiful from the pour. Nice nose and great finish. Impressive. Can't wait for the new vintages.
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1/16/2017 - leadpencil wrote: 95 Points
Deep purple. Full bodied. Blackberry, graphite, great acidity. Much better than a few years ago.
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4/27/2016 - Mr T wrote:
Great showing
Big ripe fruit with good structure
Gone fast
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10/3/2015 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great aroma. Tight and a bit standoffish for 30 min after decanting. Opened up and was smooth with great balance,
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9/21/2015 - robertdtwo wrote: 92 Points
A year since last try; can still use more bottle rest. Lovely dark fruit, with firm tannins that are only just beginning to round out. Beautiful and elegant nose in spite of its youth. Hold for major reward, but drinking pretty well now if you can aerate aggressively. I wish I hadn't promised my wife I'd take a year off wine buying, as this is one vertical I'd like to aggressively pursue.
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9/17/2015 - bmessineo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured and followed over a few hours. Lots of dark fruits and firm tannin's. I would hold for a few more years.
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2/6/2015 - Jay Hack Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 6 hours, then poured back into bottle and carried to restaurant. I was worried about whether this was approachable at this point and was presently surprised. Strong dark fruit with some meaty flavors. Only a bit of Howell Mountain terroir spice, which was a bit of a surprise. Dark, almost black. Outstanding wine.
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9/9/2014 - robertdtwo wrote: 92 Points
Vinturi decant, but wasn't long enough. (Shame on me!)
The nose, no pun intended, was absolutely intoxicating, and made you want to gulp, rather than sip, this Howell Mountain beauty.
Dark fruit very evident with a touch of blueberry making a brief appearance. While it's a bit tannic right now with just a tiny spot of heat, those small blemishes will certainly fade to zero once this gets some cellar rest. Lovely stuff that will only get better! Up one point since last try six months ago.
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10/13/2013 - Dasher wrote: 95 Points
This wines needs a little more time.
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10/12/2013 - Sundesertcactus Likes this wine: 92 Points
One word smooth. Nose was muted even after an almost three hour decant. Fruit very present , long finish which has sweetness at the end. Lovely wine.
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7/5/2013 - JEdward2 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened and tasted the bottle on Friday night and finished it Sunday evening with dinner. Friday night it was good, albeit heavy with tannins. By the time Sunday came around the wine was much softer and easier to drink....There is a great deal of potential for this wine to be a stunner in the coming years. The wine is really good now, but I plan on waiting several years before I open my next bottle!
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5/21/2013 - PGB wrote: 94 Points
Already outstanding and it will improve for at least a decade. Massive amounts of sweet fruit, not too heavy on the oak, and a multitude of medium tannins this is a total crowd pleaser. Hard to resist
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3/31/2013 - robertdtwo wrote: 91 Points
Pop 'n pour infanticide. Nearly black; mouth-staining darkness coats your palate and won't let go. Stiff tannins point to long life, but this needs a little rest. Fruit certainly in the back-background, but if you love Howell Mountain CAbs the way I do, you can tell that this is going to bloom into something special. I'd be interested to see what this would be like if you aired it out, but, unfortunately I didn't (my bad!) Hold for major reward. Primary right now, lil heat on the nose, but I have ultra-high expectations...
Day 2 update: nose still reticent, but lovely dark fruit/plum/raisin palate trying to emerge; yeah, this is gonna get good!
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3/20/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Howell Mountain Tasting. Lovely rich, earthy, dark fruit on the nose, softer, medium body on the palate, medium finish.
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12/8/2012 - G.R. Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very young bottle but I had to open it -- let it sit for about 2 hours before we drank it -- tight structure, solid tannins and background fruit -- excellent example of howell mountain fruit -- I think 2010 fruit was mild in most cabs I've tried -- let's see what happens over time.
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