Winery - Howell Mountain Vineyards
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Rich and round on the palate; texture is this wine’s strong point. The flavors range from licorice to plum, cherry, chocolate, herb and spice. On the finish, it’s fresh and lively, with pretty toast to frame it. Quite nice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smooth and sleek, with a finely crafted mesh of dark plum, blackberry, cassis, chocolate, coffee, cedar, raspberry and toast flavors. Beautifully balanced and layered, it serves up plenty of interest and pleasure. Long and lush on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
It’s tannic and soft, without fruity generosity, and smells sweaty.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A rich, lusty Zin, filled with wild berry and spice flavors, with a touch of raisins. No surprise that it’s a little prickly hot, because the alcohol is way high, but that’s just fine with barbecue.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
How big this wine is, but how drinkable now. It’s not just the fruit, which ranges from blackberries to cherries and cocoa, it’s the tannic structure. Somehow it’s soft and intense at once. Totally dry, and not overly alcoholic, this Zin picks up even more power on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An eccentric, difficult, complex Zin. It smells of intense white pepper, although in the mouth, cherries and blackberries show up. Then the tannins close in like a stranglehold. Cellar this interesting wine for a few years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Kind of tough in the mouth at this time, with aggressive tannins that effectively bury the blackberry flavors. There’s also a streak of hung meat or smoky leather that adds dimension. Best to let it soften for a few years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Firmly structured and focused, with a core of blackberry, tar, spice, cherry and herb flavors. Toasty oak frames the layers of flavor, while ripe tannins give good support, though it’s a little dry on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What a special wine this is. It blasts forth with the pencil lead, cedar and black currant aromas of a great Bordeaux, and boasts the tannins that this mountain appellation is famous for. You could drink it now with a big steak, but this ageable Cab will be looking quite nice after 2010.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Black as midnight and tough in tannins. Don’t touch this baby for a long time! Dry, balanced and oaky, it shows tremendous blackberry and currant fruit that should begin to reveal itself by 2010.
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