PnP, consumed over 2 hours. Appearance: Clear, medium garnet - definite edge bricking. Nose: Clean, medium intensity with developed aromas of bell pepper, blackberry, black raspberry, black earth, leather, and baking spice. Palate: Dry, medium+ acid, medium tannin, 13.8% abv, medium intensity, medium+ body with developed flavors of dried dark fruit - blackberry, earth, leather, and spice with a medium+ finish. Overall a very good wine slightly past peak, the fruit is starting fade and tertiary characteristics - soil and leather - are starting to dominate. Still drinking well, but drink up if you have any.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is rocking! With layers of juicy, ripe blackberries, tobacco, licorice and cigar box aromas, there is a sense of purity to the fruit, polished tannins and a long finish that seems to expand on the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful. Reminds me why I have such an affinity for Howell Mtn. Beautiful dark red fruit and intense herbs, yet an amazing elegance and balance. Still has lots of life and plenty of fruit. Finish is very long and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
intense dark toasty nose with a tinge of cherry and sweet herbs. Intense body with a touch of bite. Mellow fruit but not perfect balance. Long complex finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I have read through some tasting notes and relate to a lot that has been said. On the date I am trying this I would say 'drink this within the next year'. It is very balanced but hints(the bottle I am trying anyway) to a plateau(where I suspect things may start to degrade). I opened, let breath for about an hour and enjoyed with a beef tenderloin and duck ravioli. The nose has continued to evolve and is quite stunning now(2.5 hours). Age has developed some extrordinary fragrances but the palate seems over extended. It isn't, as some seem to be expecting, a vibrant, unpredictable powerhouse but a very well crafted Napa that speaks to terroir. I had an Italian merlot based wine last night and when you do that or have them side by side the California characteristics are easy to distinguish. Someone spoke to the fact the thought they pulled a cab and I think it is that terroir that make many comparisons between Merlot, Cab and some times Syrah, difficult to decifer. Anyway, blah, blah , blah I will stake that you would enjoy this wine in the next year.Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/20/2022 - prasm Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP, consumed over 2 hours. Appearance: Clear, medium garnet - definite edge bricking. Nose: Clean, medium intensity with developed aromas of bell pepper, blackberry, black raspberry, black earth, leather, and baking spice. Palate: Dry, medium+ acid, medium tannin, 13.8% abv, medium intensity, medium+ body with developed flavors of dried dark fruit - blackberry, earth, leather, and spice with a medium+ finish. Overall a very good wine slightly past peak, the fruit is starting fade and tertiary characteristics - soil and leather - are starting to dominate. Still drinking well, but drink up if you have any.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2015 - AlexHop wrote: 89 Points
Disappointing. Possibly a bit too old but not great balance- a touch acidic covers up whatever nice stuff was there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Another Saturday at Chevalier...Mostly Blind (Chevalier Fine Wines - Chicago IL): Double blind tasting, served alongside the 1994. This came across as less-than-pristine, somewhat dirty, perhaps bretty. I'd consider this a flawed bottle/ wine but others actually enjoyed it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
This wine is rocking! With layers of juicy, ripe blackberries, tobacco, licorice and cigar box aromas, there is a sense of purity to the fruit, polished tannins and a long finish that seems to expand on the palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2012 - AlexHop Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful. Reminds me why I have such an affinity for Howell Mtn. Beautiful dark red fruit and intense herbs, yet an amazing elegance and balance. Still has lots of life and plenty of fruit. Finish is very long and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2012 - Fishboy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Another great bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 93 Points
intense dark toasty nose with a tinge of cherry and sweet herbs. Intense body with a touch of bite. Mellow fruit but not perfect balance. Long complex finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2012 - Fishboy wrote: 90 Points
Consistent notes
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2011 - Fishboy wrote: 90 Points
We really enjoyed this bottle. Even better on day two. Old world notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2011 - 1H2oMan wrote: 85 Points
Past its prime was ok
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2009 - dbkitc wrote: 70 Points
Ruby / garnet. Over oaked…all you smell is vanilla spice. How this could be made by the same team that fashioned the PR is perplexing. (70)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2008 - ebergan wrote: 93 Points
Tannic initially, opened up after about an hour
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2008 - SBA Guru wrote: 95 Points
Amazing, wonderful fruit balances with a hint of acidity, should last a while more if you have any.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2008 - gr8nrg wrote: 92 Points
I have read through some tasting notes and relate to a lot that has been said. On the date I am trying this I would say 'drink this within the next year'. It is very balanced but hints(the bottle I am trying anyway) to a plateau(where I suspect things may start to degrade). I opened, let breath for about an hour and enjoyed with a beef tenderloin and duck ravioli. The nose has continued to evolve and is quite stunning now(2.5 hours). Age has developed some extrordinary fragrances but the palate seems over extended. It isn't, as some seem to be expecting, a vibrant, unpredictable powerhouse but a very well crafted Napa that speaks to terroir. I had an Italian merlot based wine last night and when you do that or have them side by side the California characteristics are easy to distinguish. Someone spoke to the fact the thought they pulled a cab and I think it is that terroir that make many comparisons between Merlot, Cab and some times Syrah, difficult to decifer. Anyway, blah, blah , blah I will stake that you would enjoy this wine in the next year.Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2005 - Hillel wrote: 89 Points
Took awhile to open up. Got more complex as time went by.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2004 - Hillel wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious. Warm and round. Loved it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2004 - AlexHop wrote: 95 Points
Drank a bottle of Hillels. Amazing. Deep, bold, strong presence, long long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2002 - buckeye76 wrote: 94 Points
BLACKBERRIES, CURRENTS, AND A TOUCH OF LICORICE IN THE NOSE WITH RICH BLACKBERRY FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR. NICE COMPLEXITY, AND A LONG FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment