Wines from Howell Mountain
La Jota Vineyard 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- $50
Classic Napa mountain Cab, intensely concentrated in fruit, richly tannic, and dry, and of course, such a wine needs and deserves the new oak they lavished on it. Flavors and structure perfectly balance, with massive cherry pie, cassis and mocha flavors meshing with sweetly ripe tannins and rich barrel notes of vanilla and char. This is a dramatic, complex young…
— S.H.
(10/1/2007)
Piedra Hill 2004 Purple Label Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- $54
The wine is owned by the Smiths, who started La Jota and know from Howell Mountain Cabernet. Judging from the last few bottlings, it’s off to a promising start. Dry, rich and balanced, fruit is the star here, with explosive blackberries and cherries, while 100% new oak adds lush layers of cedar and smoke. Fully enjoyable now, with decanting; it should enjoy a long…
— S.H.
(8/1/2007)
Robert Craig 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- $70
The first two things you notice are how delicious the flavors are and how gentle the tannins are. Blackberries, cherries, raspberries and mulberries mingle with 80% new oak to provide a thrill of a palate experience. As for those tannins, they’re as ripe and sweet as a hot vintage and modern viticulture can provide, but this wine should do all sort of interesting…
— S.H.
(12/31/2007)
Duckhorn 2003 Merlot (Howell Mountain)
- $70
Those notorious mountain tannins have largely melted, making the wine drinkable now, although it will hold for a decade with proper cellaring. Lush and velvety, with a drop of Cabernet Franc, this is voluptuous in cherries, black currants and fine, toasty oak.
— S.H.
(12/31/2007)
Sbragia 2004 Rancho del Oso Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $75
Those mountain tannins are here in spades, and even though they’re ripe and sweet, they give the wine a powerful astringency that demands cellaring. But age will certainly reward, for the wine is huge in currant, black cherry and unsweetened chocolate flavors. Open after 2010 and the fruit will shine through in all its ripe, succulent glory.
— S.H.
(3/1/2008)
W.H. Smith 2006 Piedra Hill Vineyard Purple Label Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- Online Exclusive
- $64
It’s not hard these days to get Cabernet to ripen to cherry-berry pie, currant and chocolaty richness. It is hard to squeeze that into a wonderfully crafted, classic structure, where the wine finishes perfectly dry. Bill Smith has accomplished all this in this wonderful, Bordeaux-esque wine. It’s extraordinarily delicious, and with those Howell Mountain tannins…
— S.H.
(2/1/2009)
Sbragia 2005 Rancho del Oso Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)
- Cellar Selection
- $75
Shows classic Howell Mountain tight, hard tannins that lock down the flavors and make the wine astringent. But what flavors they are. Just detonates on the palate with massive blackberries, currants, plums, chocolate and cedar, with incredible depth and length. Desperately needs time. Best after 2011.
— S.H.
(3/1/2009)
Beringer 2005 Bancroft Ranch Vineyard Merlot (Howell Mountain)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $75
Gigantic, huge. Just erupts with the most intense cassis, chocolate and smoky new oak. Classic Howell Mountain structure, with dense, sweet young tannins and firm acidity. So immature, it’s sappy and jammy now, and is sorely in need of cellaring. Don’t touch before 2011, and should provide enjoyment for many years after.
— S.H.
(5/1/2009)
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2010 Pence Ranch Westslope
This is sourced from the winery's steepest and most wind-exposed blocks…
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