Brian S

9.2

Black and blue fruit, coffee, black rock, dried herb, mint, dark chocolate and tobacco. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

After reading the story of this producer, I inspired to try it. Especially, at $59.99 for a quality Napa Cabernet. These two brother’s are true pioneers of the Napa Valley. They do their own thing. Don’t follow trends and are not aggressive with their bottle price, nor do they really wish to. More rare than common in today’s Napa Cabernet market. I have a lot of respect for that and Napa Pioneers.

This also drinks pretty well for a young Napa Cabernet. I was expecting bigger/bolder based on write up. Not that this won’t benefit from cellaring.

The fruits are nicely ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & blueberry hues. I was expecting more teeth. Think it is showing the finesse & balance of most 21’s I’ve had. Dark spice, grilled meats, light black pepper, barrel dust, dry tobacco, leather, savory herbaceousnes, moist clays, dry crushed rocks, cola, flower bouquet of red, blue & purple fresh flowers, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that lasts just over a minute and lands crushed rocks and touch of spice.

It will be interesting to see if this shows more in 5 years.

Photos of; Smith Madrone vineyards and brothers Stuart and Charles Smith — a year ago

Carter Pelham

9.0

Superb.
Strong aromas of dark chocolate
Cooling blue fruit, characteristic WA syrah fruit profile to me
Pretty low acid
On opening felt slightly unbalanced, continued to integrate over 2 hours
Paired wonderfully with salame piccante, bellavitano, and netflix — 6 years ago

with Linh

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

Subdued apple-pear, relatively crisp, but with a touch of butter. I remember my first acquaintance with Blue Mountain wines was this wine probably fifteen or twenty years ago at a restaurant paired with salmon and I remember the striped labels for the reserve wines back then. Such a restrained style. I still love it. — 7 years ago

with Anita

Michael McNabb

9.1

‘96 bought through an auction. Always a gamble, but this was well stored. We used to buy this in our early poor days— 3 kids and one nominal salary. Nostalgic purchase that has held up remarkably well. Delicious! — 8 years ago

Kelly

9.3

One of the best whites I’ve had in a while, lots of layers. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Airport wine 🤷🏼‍♂️ As a side note, if anyone has recommendations on food or wine stops in eastern downtown San Francisco, let me know.

First time having Cade. Actually, I’ve not had any of the 3 that I’m sampling. Seeing Cade is from Howell, I figured it would be my favorite...and it was. The Raymond didn’t need much air, and the Mount Veeder would have been my favorite if the taste was as divine as the nose. This Cade needed about 20-30mins to come alive. Texture softened but those mountain tannins gave it strong backbone. Definitely black and blue fruit dominant with espresso and dark chocolate notes. Would like to try a whole bottle of this and see how it develops. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 2 months ago

Ezekiel James Hampton

9.5

The 11 vintage is fantastic now! Lots of powdery concrete, white pepper, blue fruit and cinnamon. — 5 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.2

Drier and even more delicate than the typical Pinot Noir. — 6 years ago

with Gillian

Shay A

9.4

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Similar experience to last having this eight or so months ago. Rich and powerful without being out of balance. Inky blue and black fruits, sweet oak and vanilla tobacco on the nose. The palate here was expansive and a bit wild (in a good way)...signature mountain structure, dusty youthfulness in the ripe fruits. Dark chocolate & plum on the finish. Delicious now but probably better in a few years! — 7 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Bottle enjoyed last night. Notes are from memory today.

While 2010 is not my favorite Napa vintage, it was not bad. In many 2010’s I’ve had, the structure, texture and body are just not quite all there. However, Howell Mountain wines, for me, faired better.

There are a number of good Howell Mountain producers, Dunn being one of my favorites. I think Ladera Vineyards is one of the more underrated Howell Mountain producers. Especially, at a Costco price of around $45.

The blue fruits that shine in Howell Mountain wines are always unmistakable. Blueberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, raspberry cola, light spice, soft leather, saddle-wood, lavender and violets. Beautiful acidity. The structure is good. The body round and elegant. The length, tension and balance just now coming into its own. Still needs a few more years to hit its peak. The finish is soft, round, elegant and beautiful. Lasts full two minutes.

Photos of; the winery and beautiful grounds, outside terrace, special event tasting & dinning room and their Estate vines. — 8 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.5

En Magnum. Maybe one of my favorite Cimarossa wines to date. I’ve learned that these wines need time but the ‘11 is an oddity - the first glass out of the bottle was singing. This was rich and coated the glass in dark purple. While dark black and blue fruits were front and center there were notes of dried herbs and gravel -which gave it an almost old world quality. The tannins were chewy and there was decent acidity making it a perfect match for rigatoni bolognese. — 9 years ago

J Greene

9.2

Deep, deep ruby and not a hint of browning on the rim even though it’s 12 years old. Oaky vanilla with blueberry pie and some spicy notes. Lots more blue/black fruit on the palate. Super well balanced and enjoyed chewing on some med/fine tannins. Got two more of these and think I’ll wait a while. Not even close to showing its age. I think the scores will continue to climb on this one. — 8 months ago

Ron Milton

10

Perfect wine in every respect. 8+ years old and the fruit was in perfect balance with sweet round tannins. Deep cassis and blackberry with some blue fruits, violets and a candied rich long finish! — 4 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Dark ruby colored. Nose of ripe dark fruit. Mouth coating blue and black fruit. Ripe and fresh tasting. Fruit moves to oak tones with mellowed tannins. Appears to just be hitting its stride. — 5 years ago

Brian S

9.3

Dried blackberry, dried blue berry, black currant, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, jerky, white pepper, eucalyptus, untanned leather, graphite, — 7 years ago

with Ellie

Steven Beishuizen

9.3

Blue Mountain wines have always found a way to my table for the big events of my life, and tonight the Reserve Chardonnay was our choice for Christmas dinner alongside a pork loin roast adorned with apples. The oak is present in the mouthfeel, but this is by no means an oaky Chardonnay. Some whisps of lemon and the crunch of apple come through, but the sum is much more than the parts. Excellent. — 8 years ago

with Anita

Paul Rollett

9.0

Earthy and tons of red berry goodness. Classic pencil eraser on the nose, great Gamay! — 8 years ago

Nerd_Emperor

9.7

Sweet apple to the max! Like a liquid candy apple. I love it! — 8 years ago