A WTSO purchase in 2016, this was last bottle. Each of the three was different. Loved the first, second seemed to be in a mute phase and this was somewhere in between. Unlike bottle 1, this was light-bodied, bright fruit and acidity, not much in the way of tannins. Certainly did not stand out as a Napa cab, much less single vineyard Howell Mtn. Was saving to share with friends but glad I did not.
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Never had this one before; had a distinct Cabernet Franc-like funk to it. Enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting from a Cabernet Sauvignon. Is it possible that this bottle was starting to go over? Loved it, but I love Cab Franc!
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Very nice now, a modestly deep fruit profile fully integrated. Starts with dark black berry and currant, moving to strawberry and dark cherry. Tobacco and mineral undertones. Drink now through 2021
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Very nice. Definitely better on day two - so a decant for a couple hours would have improved day one. The thing that most stood out for us was simply - balance. At this point, the wine is integrated well, very enjoyable to drink, and is every bit as good as a wine at twice the price point. You can lay these down for several more years, but it is good to go now (with that decant).
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Where did all the fruit go? Drank one bottle two years ago. This one seems quite different. Still has good tannic structure but fruit was totally muted, even after 2-hour decant.
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I have always been a fan of Howell Mountain wines, they are concentrated, fruit forward, and have the depth and complexity to satisfy any palate.
This 2011 Ladera does exactly that. At 8 year old right now, it felt like it was in a perfect drinking window. Brought this to an Italian restaurant in Queens, NY. Paired with a vegetarian pizza. On the nose it has lots black fruits, small hints of oak, and crème de cassis. Drank it over 2 hours and it continued to evolve. Started to show some of its tertiary characteristics, with hints of cinnamon spice, mint, eucalyptus, forest floor, and dried figs.
The palate is full bodied, rich, complex to a degree, and has a great finish. Overall is a really enjoyable, well made wine. Very easy drinking, and very flavorful.
2011 was not a great year for Napa, however, for a lot of the mountain fruit that was not the case. I have recently started drinking some of the 2011s any I believe it is such an underrated vintage. Great wine at a great value. Cheers!
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Nose: Dark fruits with some creosote. Palate: Very soft and evolved this is at or slightly past peak. Tannins are still there but acid is subtle. Drink up if you have any left. Last bottle of mine and good time to leave.
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Second in a blind flight of seven 'Bordeaux Variety' wines:
Blueberry perfume, along with varietal characteristics, and Howell Mountain terroir. Polished, rounded, not excessively fruity, and judiciously oaked. There is a harmonious balance to this, uncommon for California, particularly in this price range. It finished first or second in the flight for several tasters. It held its form over three days. Enjoyable now with decanting and it should last for another decade+. 93-94.
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Another good showing. When I first opened this it had a troublingly modern oak signature, and I almost put the cork back in to let it settle down overnight. Instead I let it sit awhile and when I came back it was nice. This is a lighter bodied cabernet, as one would expect in '11, but it has classic cassis notes and something almost brambly as well. Nice cab for the price.
Slow ox for 2 hours (notes after 20 minutes glass air after the slow O). Nose: Brambly black fruits with some blue fruit, mint and almost buttery aromas. Also some trace elements of sage and moss. Palate: Blackberries, blueberries and subtle fresh herbs all in a soft styled framework with already evolved tannins. Finish is elegant and light to medium in length and went well with fresh Chuck Eye steaks on the charcoal Weber. Great QPR from WTSO at $30/btl. These off vintages from good producers always seem to make a good buying opportunity. 91+ points.
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Absolutely love that wet rain freshness aroma. Tons of berries at first taste, little pepper. Little tannin heavy on the back end, lots of tobacco on the finish also. I think this can still sit longer. Pretty decent wine for the price. (lol, small Dr. Pepper taste)
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Expressive bouquet of Howell Mountain terroir driven Cabernet Sauvignon. In a word, pure. The wine tastes like it smells, delivering the finest pleasures that Cabernet Sauvignon junkies crave with power and elegance, including assorted peppers, blackcurrant, herbs, black tea, rocks, graphite, and black earth. Layered, full-bodied, stalwart frame, and balanced. Perfect ripeness and minimal oak influence make this a wine that features place and variety. It should enjoy a 15 to 18 year maturation curve. 93-94.
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I find this wine to be a bit disjointed. While it is enjoyable to drink, there is something there that detracts from it...it's just not smooth. Not sure if it's too young or a reflection of the vintage.
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Decanted 30 minutes and consumed over the next 2 hours. All red fruit with medium acidity to balanced the fruit. A bit of heat on the back end, but overall a great value for $30. Even in a weak vintage, this is really well made
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Nice wine. Good fruit and perhaps too much oak but I was digging it. Just straight forward fun and delicious. With two young kids that's all I want these days. Glad I have more.
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Not bad. Tannins need to resolve yet and one hopes the fruit is strong enough to outlast that process, but if so it will be fine value. Anticipate drinking in 2-5 years, so not a long ager.
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Ruby red with moderate plus intensity. Quite a bit of acidity and red berries. Some blue berries on the nose. Moderate tannins (7/10) and moderate plus bodied. Try again on day two.
Day two: nose has some graphite and stewed berries. Light dryness on the finish. Some herbaceous notes too and sage. Missing something in the mid-palate. Medium plus finish.
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Purchased at Mahogany in Omaha, no formal note. From the wine list, pleasantly surprising, good structure and depth, dark fruit and spice profile with nice mid-palate lift and back-end length length. Paired quite well with filet mignon. Exceeded expectations at $100 off the wine list, definite bargain at $45 retail, especially for a Howell Mountain cabernet.
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Consistent score over many months and bottles. Only change in my prior review is that I am now finding the wine slightly better the second day. Give it a few hours to breathe. Fantastic flavors of cherry, plum, blueberries, black pepper and dust. Very dark with a long finish. Medium bodied.
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Drank again last night and tonight. The wine is best after approximately 3 hours of breathing and poured through an aerator. Not quite as good the second day. Fantastic flavors of cherry, plum, blueberries, pepper and dust. Very dark with a long finish. Medium bodied.
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Really enjoyed a bottle over four evenings and I'm in for a case. Great value. For a young Howell Mountain predictably cloaked behind sturdy tanic structure upon decorking. Sediment behind the cork and in the glass for this bottle added to the expirence. Not strongly aromatic, yet. By day two the quality of this vintage was evident sustained into day four. The star of the show is the Howell Mountain fruit. Medium bodied. Approachable. Long savory dark fruit finish with tonque tingling tannins and charcoal. Satifying drinker yet elegantly presented. Drinks well now and should into the next decade.
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This wine is exceptional and an amazing value. Give it a couple of hours to open up. Wonderful blend of flavors of dark fruit. Tastes of Howell Mountain through and through. This will continue to age well, but terrific now as well.
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This is a really nice Cabernet that is drinking well young. The nose is lovely with plenty of dark fruits, but also lots of other interesting notes including herbs, tobacco, spice, hints of vanilla, and just a whiff of pepper. The palate is quite lovely with plenty of richness, but also a lovely fresh acidity that ties everything together. I think this will age fairly well, but it is also drinking very well now.
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2/20/2021 - elevwine wrote: 87 Points
A WTSO purchase in 2016, this was last bottle. Each of the three was different. Loved the first, second seemed to be in a mute phase and this was somewhere in between. Unlike bottle 1, this was light-bodied, bright fruit and acidity, not much in the way of tannins. Certainly did not stand out as a Napa cab, much less single vineyard Howell Mtn. Was saving to share with friends but glad I did not.
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11/26/2020 - cdy4ddy wrote: 92 Points
Never had this one before; had a distinct Cabernet Franc-like funk to it. Enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting from a Cabernet Sauvignon. Is it possible that this bottle was starting to go over? Loved it, but I love Cab Franc!
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8/29/2020 - jroberts86 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice now, a modestly deep fruit profile fully integrated. Starts with dark black berry and currant, moving to strawberry and dark cherry. Tobacco and mineral undertones. Drink now through 2021
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3/21/2019 - Skibank114 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice. Definitely better on day two - so a decant for a couple hours would have improved day one. The thing that most stood out for us was simply - balance. At this point, the wine is integrated well, very enjoyable to drink, and is every bit as good as a wine at twice the price point. You can lay these down for several more years, but it is good to go now (with that decant).
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3/16/2019 - elevwine wrote: 87 Points
Where did all the fruit go? Drank one bottle two years ago. This one seems quite different. Still has good tannic structure but fruit was totally muted, even after 2-hour decant.
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1/30/2019 - Rasmussenbrent wrote: 92 Points
Drinking incredible for a 30 bottle of wine. Wish I had more
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1/19/2019 - pgrzesik Likes this wine: 91 Points
I have always been a fan of Howell Mountain wines, they are concentrated, fruit forward, and have the depth and complexity to satisfy any palate.
This 2011 Ladera does exactly that. At 8 year old right now, it felt like it was in a perfect drinking window. Brought this to an Italian restaurant in Queens, NY. Paired with a vegetarian pizza. On the nose it has lots black fruits, small hints of oak, and crème de cassis. Drank it over 2 hours and it continued to evolve. Started to show some of its tertiary characteristics, with hints of cinnamon spice, mint, eucalyptus, forest floor, and dried figs.
The palate is full bodied, rich, complex to a degree, and has a great finish. Overall is a really enjoyable, well made wine. Very easy drinking, and very flavorful.
2011 was not a great year for Napa, however, for a lot of the mountain fruit that was not the case. I have recently started drinking some of the 2011s any I believe it is such an underrated vintage. Great wine at a great value. Cheers!
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12/15/2018 - Mattshank wrote: 90 Points
Nose: Dark fruits with some creosote. Palate: Very soft and evolved this is at or slightly past peak. Tannins are still there but acid is subtle. Drink up if you have any left. Last bottle of mine and good time to leave.
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5/11/2018 - bajayngo wrote:
Bdx varietal tasting - served double blind, lots of spice and present alc, fuit skins and a hint of mint.
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3/30/2018 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Second in a blind flight of seven 'Bordeaux Variety' wines:
Blueberry perfume, along with varietal characteristics, and Howell Mountain terroir. Polished, rounded, not excessively fruity, and judiciously oaked. There is a harmonious balance to this, uncommon for California, particularly in this price range. It finished first or second in the flight for several tasters. It held its form over three days. Enjoyable now with decanting and it should last for another decade+. 93-94.
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1/4/2018 - sleepyhaus wrote:
Another good showing. When I first opened this it had a troublingly modern oak signature, and I almost put the cork back in to let it settle down overnight. Instead I let it sit awhile and when I came back it was nice. This is a lighter bodied cabernet, as one would expect in '11, but it has classic cassis notes and something almost brambly as well. Nice cab for the price.
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5/12/2017 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Slow ox for 2 hours (notes after 20 minutes glass air after the slow O). Nose: Brambly black fruits with some blue fruit, mint and almost buttery aromas. Also some trace elements of sage and moss. Palate: Blackberries, blueberries and subtle fresh herbs all in a soft styled framework with already evolved tannins. Finish is elegant and light to medium in length and went well with fresh Chuck Eye steaks on the charcoal Weber. Great QPR from WTSO at $30/btl. These off vintages from good producers always seem to make a good buying opportunity. 91+ points.
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2/6/2017 - jrhonda160 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Absolutely love that wet rain freshness aroma. Tons of berries at first taste, little pepper. Little tannin heavy on the back end, lots of tobacco on the finish also. I think this can still sit longer. Pretty decent wine for the price. (lol, small Dr. Pepper taste)
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1/24/2017 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Expressive bouquet of Howell Mountain terroir driven Cabernet Sauvignon. In a word, pure. The wine tastes like it smells, delivering the finest pleasures that Cabernet Sauvignon junkies crave with power and elegance, including assorted peppers, blackcurrant, herbs, black tea, rocks, graphite, and black earth. Layered, full-bodied, stalwart frame, and balanced. Perfect ripeness and minimal oak influence make this a wine that features place and variety. It should enjoy a 15 to 18 year maturation curve. 93-94.
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1/9/2017 - nittanyjack wrote:
I find this wine to be a bit disjointed. While it is enjoyable to drink, there is something there that detracts from it...it's just not smooth. Not sure if it's too young or a reflection of the vintage.
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12/25/2016 - wiscgrad wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 30 minutes and consumed over the next 2 hours. All red fruit with medium acidity to balanced the fruit. A bit of heat on the back end, but overall a great value for $30. Even in a weak vintage, this is really well made
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12/22/2016 - HowellTime Likes this wine: 89 Points
PNP only, do not decant !!!
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12/12/2016 - pc2006mg wrote: 93 Points
Juicy....
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11/27/2016 - hr3 wrote: 91 Points
Score based on day 4.
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11/5/2016 - brooklynwine wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine. Good fruit and perhaps too much oak but I was digging it. Just straight forward fun and delicious. With two young kids that's all I want these days. Glad I have more.
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11/3/2016 - michigan dogs wrote: 82 Points
nothing stood out, no acicity, no tannins, fruit was unexceptional, not bad, just not noteworthy and would not drink again.
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10/21/2016 - Reiso Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice acidity, drinks more like old world.
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10/17/2016 - fredfromny wrote: 89 Points
Well made and flavorful but with austere fruit. Hold 3 years max.
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10/13/2016 - Rasmussenbrent wrote: 92 Points
Another amazing Howell mountain wine. Love this area and best wines around
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10/10/2016 - sleepyhaus wrote:
Not bad. Tannins need to resolve yet and one hopes the fruit is strong enough to outlast that process, but if so it will be fine value. Anticipate drinking in 2-5 years, so not a long ager.
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9/26/2016 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 88 Points
Ruby red with moderate plus intensity. Quite a bit of acidity and red berries. Some blue berries on the nose. Moderate tannins (7/10) and moderate plus bodied. Try again on day two.
Day two: nose has some graphite and stewed berries. Light dryness on the finish. Some herbaceous notes too and sage. Missing something in the mid-palate. Medium plus finish.
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8/27/2016 - HowellWine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nice Howell Mt fruit, concentrated blackberry, well structured, not a fruit bomb, long bold finish. Delicious.
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8/23/2016 - prasm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Purchased at Mahogany in Omaha, no formal note. From the wine list, pleasantly surprising, good structure and depth, dark fruit and spice profile with nice mid-palate lift and back-end length length. Paired quite well with filet mignon. Exceeded expectations at $100 off the wine list, definite bargain at $45 retail, especially for a Howell Mountain cabernet.
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1/19/2016 - pvewino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consistent score over many months and bottles. Only change in my prior review is that I am now finding the wine slightly better the second day. Give it a few hours to breathe. Fantastic flavors of cherry, plum, blueberries, black pepper and dust. Very dark with a long finish. Medium bodied.
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12/7/2015 - pvewino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank again last night and tonight. The wine is best after approximately 3 hours of breathing and poured through an aerator. Not quite as good the second day. Fantastic flavors of cherry, plum, blueberries, pepper and dust. Very dark with a long finish. Medium bodied.
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9/5/2015 - napadirt Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed a bottle over four evenings and I'm in for a case. Great value. For a young Howell Mountain predictably cloaked behind sturdy tanic structure upon decorking. Sediment behind the cork and in the glass for this bottle added to the expirence. Not strongly aromatic, yet. By day two the quality of this vintage was evident sustained into day four. The star of the show is the Howell Mountain fruit. Medium bodied. Approachable. Long savory dark fruit finish with tonque tingling tannins and charcoal. Satifying drinker yet elegantly presented. Drinks well now and should into the next decade.
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8/22/2015 - pvewino Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is exceptional and an amazing value. Give it a couple of hours to open up. Wonderful blend of flavors of dark fruit. Tastes of Howell Mountain through and through. This will continue to age well, but terrific now as well.
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7/31/2015 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
This is a really nice Cabernet that is drinking well young. The nose is lovely with plenty of dark fruits, but also lots of other interesting notes including herbs, tobacco, spice, hints of vanilla, and just a whiff of pepper. The palate is quite lovely with plenty of richness, but also a lovely fresh acidity that ties everything together. I think this will age fairly well, but it is also drinking very well now.
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5/20/2015 - JCGuthrie wrote: 91 Points
Very tight upon opening, better the second day
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