This showed much better than the bottle enjoyed in late 2019. The 25% Syrah still makes a huge imprint and statement in the aromatic and flavor profile: black licorice, smoked meats, blackberry liqueur, and black dry earth; the Cabernet lends mixed currant, some greenery, structure, spice, and black coffee accents. This bottle was much livelier and showed more structure. Wonderful balance, big finish, focused intensity, and layered complexity. Seems mature, but also seems like it could cellar for a few more years. I did not decant this bottle like the previous one, so that might have impacted my impression. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
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Fully mature, with the aromatic and flavor profile dominated by the 25% Syrah in the blend. Very complex flavor profile of smoked, cooked and stewed black plums, cherries, currant, and blackberries, along with black coffee grounds, dried purple flowers, dried licorice, herbal mint, and wet, charred black earth. Structure is well integrated but starting to fade; lacks the power I remember from seven years ago. Medium finish. Enjoyed with roasted rib roast. Recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Lots of sediment and sludge in the bottom of the decanter along with 1-2 ounces left in the bottle.
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9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.
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Decent, but past its prime now, unfortunately. Should have opened some earlier. I'll see how it does over several hours after decanting. If it gets better I will update this.
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Big, pretty nose, though the palate seems a bit soft,lacking a tannic backbone. Light medium weight. PLUM, cranberry. May have miseed this by a year or two
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92+ Drank over 2 nights - did not degrade overnight.
Dark red color and throwing some sediment. Saline / iron / black cherry & fig on nose. On palate, medium body, iron, saline /black cherry flavor profile with high (low ph) acidity and medium+ finish. Sad this was my last bottle. The Syrah dominates the palate & nose - not a bad thing in my opinion.
Would buy again. Should be good for a few more years.
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Had this wine at Canoe Brook CC and up against a 2011 Juslyn Perry's Blend. This wine was bigger with evident tannin's which at 10 years likely will not improve the fruit flavors. After an hour the wine delivered more punch with velvet mouthfeel and earthy meaty flavor.
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Big and chunky. Powerful spice (sage and pepper), oak and green pepper scent. Concentrated, blackberry, meat, iron, earth and clove flavor with ample fine tannins. The over-ripe fruit (especially Syrah), high alcohol, too much oak and intense flavors in this wine detract from my enjoyment.
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Continues to drink well and went great with grilled pork chops - has the iron / meat I get in good Syrahs but there is the cassis / currants from the cab. Didn't take notes but this drank well over 2 nights and was great with food - 92++
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I get more syrah note on this, but it also has some of the cab backbone. Very good wine that changed a lot over 4hrs. Big, jammy flavors to start, but got much more integrated by the end of the bottle.
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This is drinking very well right now. I typically get more Syrah characteristics in these Cab/Syrah blends, but this time around the Cab was in the forefront. Rich cassis with milk chocolate on the palate balanced by firm but nicely integrated tannins. Drink or hold.
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consistent with note from 12/2010 - decanted for 30 minutes and had with grilled pork tenderloin. The Syrah really stands out on the nose and this is an excellent food wine with a silky mouthfeel. Very much enjoyed - 92-93 range.
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This is a muscular wine. The palate has roasted meat, dark berries and campfire notes. The flavors match the aromas, with medium acid, firm tannins and a long fruity/smoky/tannic finish to round it out. Really enjoyable.
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PnP. Very full bodied, very dark purple, an almost black color. Opens with tons of smokey black currant, black cherry, coffee, some faint mint, floral notes and a slight hint of oak. Very rich, mouth coating, and flavorful smokey blackberries, cherries and licorice, underpinned with vanilla flavors. Long, long finish that lingers for what seems to be an eternity. The addition and influence of the Syrah is what makes this wine so unique. May not appeal to some. Great red meat wine.
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I like this wine. Consistent over several bottles. Good Cab-Syrah blend and much more approachable than Tor Kenward's cabernets, which seem to take years to calm down. Comparable: Adam Jones.
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Reserving judgment on this one. Blend of Cabernet Sauvigon and Syrah, but the proportions, to me, are out of balance. Not sure whether it's too much Cab or too much Syrah, but it's not in harmony. Not sure whether it's the particular mix, or whether more bottle time is needed. Drinkable but not pleasurable.
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This managed to get to tastings on two days. Decanted before first one, but still shined more on day two. Red and black fruits, rich yet very supple. Smoky meat, bramble, mineral rich.
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Can you say Black Currant? What a great bottle of wine!!! Full bodied with flavors of sweet dark berries, vanilla, and black cherry. We had this with Ribeye and Lobster Tail.... wow! This bottle does true justice to the Napa 2007 vintage...75% Cabernet and 25% Syrah
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Decanted for 1.5 hours - dark purple color. Beautiful nose - raspberrry, cinnamon, blackberry and iron (with air time). Great mouthfeel - medium body but very silky and all too easy to drink. On palate, raspberry, licorice, baking spice, medium + finish with some tannins noticeable. Athough only 25% Syrah, the syrah dominates at this stage of development - this wine was much better than a bottle I had in April of this year (2010). I loved this wine and it was excellent with grilled pork tenderloin. 92-93 rating [edit]. Still kicking on night 2 - finish is noticeably longer and aromatics dominated by iron / meat / cherry - excellent.
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Pickle juice aromas at first. Opened up with some great fruit. Not too long of a finish but an excellent wine that is drinking really nice right now. Impressive..
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Great nose of dark briar fruit, pepper, and an underlying spice, almost carrot cake like, that makes things interesting. On the palate, luscious sweet fruit surrounded by med-high tannins. The finish fades off and disappoints based on the other elements of the wine. A better finish equals a 90 pt. wine.
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Pop and pour. Dark color. Nose of blackberries, roast beef, licorice and some herbs. I smell syrah. Smelled it before I read the web site indicating a 76% cab-24% syrah blend. Some nice red and black fruits with a good solid core. Nothing too deep and maybe a little disjointed, a bit of a teenager that has not yet quite grown into his body. Some mouth puckering tannins ion the finish. Lavender, licorice and vanilla to boot. We'll see if there is any improvement with a little air time. 14.6% Howell Mountain Cab and Hudson Vineyard Syrah. Added note - after about two hours, this has opened up presenting a softer side that still includes the roast beef, herbs and blackberries but in a softer, rounder style. Moved from an 89 to a 90.
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Another great wine from TOR. Racy and pure, with a nice solid beam of red currant layered with melted black licorice and floral notes. Ultra, ultra silky, with a nice kick of freshness on the finish. - JD93
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Sweet on front of palate with taste of figs and slight apricots, with green pepper becoming more dominate as time went on. Mild and fruity with a bit of spice on finish
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Popped and poured, enjoyed over two hours. Big, rich, earthy, smoky, this wine is a great combination of Howell Mountain brute force and Hudson Vineyards complexity. Very enjoyable now, give it a year and it will be even better.
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popped and let bottle sit for about 90 minutes. Cab/Syrah blend, whose taste totally caught me by surprise. Bright red fruit...wine was more elegant and feminine than I had expected.There was another flavor that I just couldn't put my finger on (maybe floral if it makes sense). Medium bodied, soft tannins nice wine. I think would pair well with a low fat steak or a veal breast...I liked it alot
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approachable now but could use some bottle age to shine...nice unusual blend of howell mountain cab and carneros syrah...this has very good potential...91+?
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Syrah on the nose, with spice and minerals. Silky in the mouth with berries and sweet tannins. $45-$50. Will do a blind tasting with wines of similar cost before deciding whether to buy more or not. Certainly not a OMG I have to have it at this price item. 90-92pt range.
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74% Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley - Howell Mountain - Cimarossa Vineyard, 26% Syrah - Napa Valley - Carneros - Hudson Vineyard. On the nose, blackberries, mulled spices and oak. Roasted meats, spices- cloves and spearmint with a long and supple finish. Silky.
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10/23/2021 - wmccone54 wrote:
This showed much better than the bottle enjoyed in late 2019. The 25% Syrah still makes a huge imprint and statement in the aromatic and flavor profile: black licorice, smoked meats, blackberry liqueur, and black dry earth; the Cabernet lends mixed currant, some greenery, structure, spice, and black coffee accents. This bottle was much livelier and showed more structure. Wonderful balance, big finish, focused intensity, and layered complexity. Seems mature, but also seems like it could cellar for a few more years. I did not decant this bottle like the previous one, so that might have impacted my impression. Drink now or over the next 3-5 years.
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5/16/2020 - sstoloff wrote: 92 Points
Smoke and black fruits, cherry, currant, bramble, coffee; very polished.
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12/28/2019 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
Fully mature, with the aromatic and flavor profile dominated by the 25% Syrah in the blend. Very complex flavor profile of smoked, cooked and stewed black plums, cherries, currant, and blackberries, along with black coffee grounds, dried purple flowers, dried licorice, herbal mint, and wet, charred black earth. Structure is well integrated but starting to fade; lacks the power I remember from seven years ago. Medium finish. Enjoyed with roasted rib roast. Recommend drinking sooner rather than later. Lots of sediment and sludge in the bottom of the decanter along with 1-2 ounces left in the bottle.
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12/14/2019 - bablues wrote: 92 Points
9th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. Last had this in 2015 and this was just as good as then. Great value when considering the wines it was up against.
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9/13/2019 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decent, but past its prime now, unfortunately. Should have opened some earlier. I'll see how it does over several hours after decanting. If it gets better I will update this.
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2/4/2017 - BrunelloBob wrote: 90 Points
Big, pretty nose, though the palate seems a bit soft,lacking a tannic backbone. Light medium weight. PLUM, cranberry. May have miseed this by a year or two
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7/27/2016 - D3S Likes this wine:
91 points, nice nose, fruit, balance and finish. Drinking well now.
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3/7/2016 - CWilliam wrote:
92+
Drank over 2 nights - did not degrade overnight.
Dark red color and throwing some sediment. Saline / iron / black cherry & fig on nose. On palate, medium body, iron, saline /black cherry flavor profile with high (low ph) acidity and medium+ finish. Sad this was my last bottle. The Syrah dominates the palate & nose - not a bad thing in my opinion.
Would buy again. Should be good for a few more years.
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12/5/2015 - bablues wrote: 92 Points
Annual Christmas Wine Dinner and Cellar Raid (Naperville, IL): Didn't take detailed notes. Part of Christmas wine dinner and cellar raid. Drinking beautifully. Stood up to some serious wines at 5-10 times the price
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10/31/2015 - tomoem wrote: 91 Points
Had this wine at Canoe Brook CC and up against a 2011 Juslyn Perry's Blend. This wine was bigger with evident tannin's which at 10 years likely will not improve the fruit flavors. After an hour the wine delivered more punch with velvet mouthfeel and earthy meaty flavor.
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2/19/2015 - bin905 wrote: 88 Points
Big and chunky. Powerful spice (sage and pepper), oak and green pepper scent. Concentrated, blackberry, meat, iron, earth and clove flavor with ample fine tannins. The over-ripe fruit (especially Syrah), high alcohol, too much oak and intense flavors in this wine detract from my enjoyment.
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12/31/2014 - MattB72 wrote: 91 Points
drinking very well. Big fruit from the Syrah and can adds length. More subtle the next day. Drink or hold for 3-5 more yrs
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10/10/2014 - Sennma wrote:
While my palate has moved away from these types of wine this was a pleasant surprise. Bold and rich but with a sense of balance. Nice effort here.
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2/24/2014 - CWilliam wrote:
Continues to drink well and went great with grilled pork chops - has the iron / meat I get in good Syrahs but there is the cassis / currants from the cab. Didn't take notes but this drank well over 2 nights and was great with food - 92++
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9/29/2013 - ecola Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big upfront juicy red berries with full body and sweet gripping tannins. Lively acidity on the finish. Great balance from start to finish. Well made.
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6/7/2013 - MattB72 wrote: 92 Points
I get more syrah note on this, but it also has some of the cab backbone. Very good wine that changed a lot over 4hrs. Big, jammy flavors to start, but got much more integrated by the end of the bottle.
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6/4/2013 - ToddS Likes this wine:
Syrah notes are not as pronounced as they were the last time we had this. Still noticeable, but not primary.
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2/28/2013 - Zo65 wrote: 91 Points
I agree with previous note; smells and tastes like straight cabernet. Pure cassis.... Very well done. A very nice wine
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1/5/2013 - pete s. wrote: 91 Points
This is drinking very well right now. I typically get more Syrah characteristics in these Cab/Syrah blends, but this time around the Cab was in the forefront. Rich cassis with milk chocolate on the palate balanced by firm but nicely integrated tannins. Drink or hold.
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11/18/2012 - bugdoced wrote: 92 Points
dark cherries and rich ;terrific
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11/2/2012 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
consistent with note from 12/2010 - decanted for 30 minutes and had with grilled pork tenderloin. The Syrah really stands out on the nose and this is an excellent food wine with a silky mouthfeel. Very much enjoyed - 92-93 range.
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10/29/2012 - David_T wrote: 91 Points
This is a muscular wine. The palate has roasted meat, dark berries and campfire notes. The flavors match the aromas, with medium acid, firm tannins and a long fruity/smoky/tannic finish to round it out. Really enjoyable.
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6/2/2012 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Very full bodied, very dark purple, an almost black color. Opens with tons of smokey black currant, black cherry, coffee, some faint mint, floral notes and a slight hint of oak. Very rich, mouth coating, and flavorful smokey blackberries, cherries and licorice, underpinned with vanilla flavors. Long, long finish that lingers for what seems to be an eternity. The addition and influence of the Syrah is what makes this wine so unique. May not appeal to some. Great red meat wine.
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3/18/2012 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
For me, this particular blend doesn't work. It is not integrated; just a persistent disharmony.
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1/10/2012 - ELH wrote: 89 Points
Still somewhat ponderous. Better on third day.
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12/6/2011 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 88 Points
I like this wine. Consistent over several bottles. Good Cab-Syrah blend and much more approachable than Tor Kenward's cabernets, which seem to take years to calm down. Comparable: Adam Jones.
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11/9/2011 - ELH wrote:
Reserving judgment on this one. Blend of Cabernet Sauvigon and Syrah, but the proportions, to me, are out of balance. Not sure whether it's too much Cab or too much Syrah, but it's not in harmony. Not sure whether it's the particular mix, or whether more bottle time is needed. Drinkable but not pleasurable.
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11/6/2011 - MindMuse wrote: 92 Points
This managed to get to tastings on two days. Decanted before first one, but still shined more on day two. Red and black fruits, rich yet very supple. Smoky meat, bramble, mineral rich.
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11/3/2011 - benny wrote: 91 Points
This is a nice but not an outstanding wine. The syrah dominated and the Cab was there for oak. Napa wine for
sure if you are into it.
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7/9/2011 - benny wrote: 91 Points
Combination of cab and syrah went well with steak. Drinking well now... did decant and air for two hours.
In the style of CA cab...of course.
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1/1/2011 - wmccone54 wrote: 93 Points
Can you say Black Currant? What a great bottle of wine!!! Full bodied with flavors of sweet dark berries, vanilla, and black cherry. We had this with Ribeye and Lobster Tail.... wow! This bottle does true justice to the Napa 2007 vintage...75% Cabernet and 25% Syrah
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12/26/2010 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours - dark purple color. Beautiful nose - raspberrry, cinnamon, blackberry and iron (with air time). Great mouthfeel - medium body but very silky and all too easy to drink. On palate, raspberry, licorice, baking spice, medium + finish with some tannins noticeable. Athough only 25% Syrah, the syrah dominates at this stage of development - this wine was much better than a bottle I had in April of this year (2010). I loved this wine and it was excellent with grilled pork tenderloin. 92-93 rating [edit]. Still kicking on night 2 - finish is noticeably longer and aromatics dominated by iron / meat / cherry - excellent.
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11/20/2010 - bablues wrote: 92 Points
Pickle juice aromas at first. Opened up with some great fruit. Not too long of a finish but an excellent wine that is drinking really nice right now. Impressive..
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10/24/2010 - MindMuse wrote: 91 Points
Sexy aromas of cassis, spices, cedar, bit of earth. Medium bodied with fine tannin, succulent, and well-balanced. Improving.
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10/10/2010 - pete s. wrote: 89 Points
Great nose of dark briar fruit, pepper, and an underlying spice, almost carrot cake like, that makes things interesting. On the palate, luscious sweet fruit surrounded by med-high tannins. The finish fades off and disappoints based on the other elements of the wine. A better finish equals a 90 pt. wine.
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9/30/2010 - t_moderne wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour. Dark color. Nose of blackberries, roast beef, licorice and some herbs. I smell syrah. Smelled it before I read the web site indicating a 76% cab-24% syrah blend. Some nice red and black fruits with a good solid core. Nothing too deep and maybe a little disjointed, a bit of a teenager that has not yet quite grown into his body.
Some mouth puckering tannins ion the finish. Lavender, licorice and vanilla to boot.
We'll see if there is any improvement with a little air time.
14.6% Howell Mountain Cab and Hudson Vineyard Syrah.
Added note - after about two hours, this has opened up presenting a softer side that still includes the roast beef, herbs and blackberries but in a softer, rounder style.
Moved from an 89 to a 90.
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8/23/2010 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 93 Points
Another great wine from TOR. Racy and pure, with a nice solid beam of red currant layered with melted black licorice and floral notes. Ultra, ultra silky, with a nice kick of freshness on the finish. - JD93
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5/13/2010 - castle2 wrote: 88 Points
just ok
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4/21/2010 - ckinv368 wrote:
Sweet on front of palate with taste of figs and slight apricots, with green pepper becoming more dominate as time went on. Mild and fruity with a bit of spice on finish
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2/14/2010 - blondon wrote:
Popped and poured, enjoyed over two hours. Big, rich, earthy, smoky, this wine is a great combination of Howell Mountain brute force and Hudson Vineyards complexity. Very enjoyable now, give it a year and it will be even better.
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1/18/2010 - Coupe 60 wrote: 90 Points
popped and let bottle sit for about 90 minutes. Cab/Syrah blend, whose taste totally caught me by surprise. Bright red fruit...wine was more elegant and feminine than I had expected.There was another flavor that I just couldn't put my finger on (maybe floral if it makes sense). Medium bodied, soft tannins nice wine. I think would pair well with a low fat steak or a veal breast...I liked it alot
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1/13/2010 - olm2000 wrote:
approachable now but could use some bottle age to shine...nice unusual blend of howell mountain cab and carneros syrah...this has very good potential...91+?
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1/9/2010 - Vinomo wrote: 90 Points
Given to us by the Denning's. Very enjoyable.
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12/1/2009 - ToddS wrote:
Syrah on the nose, with spice and minerals. Silky in the mouth with berries and sweet tannins. $45-$50. Will do a blind tasting with wines of similar cost before deciding whether to buy more or not. Certainly not a OMG I have to have it at this price item. 90-92pt range.
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6/23/2009 - jeffmoore wrote:
74% Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley - Howell Mountain - Cimarossa Vineyard, 26% Syrah - Napa Valley - Carneros - Hudson Vineyard. On the nose, blackberries, mulled spices and oak. Roasted meats, spices- cloves and spearmint with a long and supple finish. Silky.
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