Heart O' The Mountain

Quill Wines

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

2014 vintage. New release...no really! Held back for a decade until "ready." Medium-heavy body and Cabs don't get much darker in color than this. Tasted more like Spring Mountain or Mount Veeder to me tho as it was missing that Howell Mountain uppercut on the finish. Very nice and the price wasn't as ridiculous as you would expect for a decade-aged, HM Cab project. Producer to keep an eye on for down the road efforts. Heart is in the right place. 8.28.24.
— 2 months ago

Ted, Ray and 12 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Never heard of them. Are they on Howell or just buying fruit from someone?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Norman Gennaro Looks like they are buying fruit from serious sources.

School House Vineyard

Mezcolanza Zinfandel Blend 2018

A most beautiful ethereal Zinfandel that hearkens back to the old Napa Zins back in the 60s and 70s. A mixed black field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Sirah. Vines were first planted in 1895, 1995 was the first vineyard (as John O didn’t care for any grapes other than Pinot Noir…) Barrels passed from from the Pinot Noir program. Aged for 18 months. Medium concentration. Pale bright ruby. Red crunchy cherry, white pepper, bread dough, blueberry pie, cedar, pencil shaving, hints of stony characters. Elevated acidity and medium-grained tannins. Med++ finish. I love how light it is on its feet and I would have never called it a Zinfandel if given in a blind tasting. — 2 years ago

Shay, Ira and 4 others liked this

Quilceda Creek

Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Concentrated, focussed fruit, deeply penetrating and revealing layers of dark flavor infused with potent tannins. Not for the ‘faint of heart’ — 6 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Jan, Jan and 6 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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I love this producer. Their top drawer Cabernets are exceptional. I bought some bottles in San Francisco. I never see Quilceda Creek in Australia.
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Yes, exceptional wines! Revealing the high potential of the Columbia Valley of Washington with clonal selections of Cab Sauv. They also produce a more budget friendlier cvr blend that is still in a league by it selves. One of the first wineries in Washington State established back in the late nineteen seventies. They own and manage some very famous vineyards along the Columbia River. Their nearly entire wine making team left in 2021 which was a shocker so we will have to see how they overcame that. So far so good 😊

Saxum Vineyards

Heart Stone Vineyard Syrah Blend 2010

Best on day 3, but boy o boy it was great every time I checked in. — 3 years ago

Chappellet

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1974

Casual ‘74 Chappellet like it ain’t no thing! Oh but it is a thing. Good lord this is a sign that there is a higher power! Opens a bit musty but that blows off to reveal the still beating heart of the mountain. You could tell me this will last another 20 years and I would believe you. — 4 years ago

Iwan, Matt and 8 others liked this
David L

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Great wine & vintage

Betz Family Winery

Heart of the Hill Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Young but delicious. Magnum — 6 months ago

Ira, Shay and 2 others liked this

Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard

Luchessi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Rob N
9.3

I seem to like this more than most! It has a soft spot in my heart because it was the red pairing during my Le Bernardin dinner in 2018 with Greg. I then bought this bottle from the vineyard and kept it for five years. It’s drinking nicely now; it opens tart but mellows with air to reveal some graceful aging. ~$75. — a year ago

Three of Cups

Le Croyant Heart Of The Hill Vineyard Petite Sirah 2017

velvety, rich and creamy in texture

orange chocolate, plums, green pepper, dried figs, tart blueberries, red and black currants
— 2 years ago

Rob, Tom and 2 others liked this

Château Pipeau

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

David T
9.2

2005 such an amazing vintage.

The 05 Pipeau is a bottle that I’ve looked at in my EuroCave for awhile & have passed on it for bigger name producers. But, not tonight w/o disappointment. Especially, for $25 a bottle upon release.

It took a small glass & a few sips to get there. I’m there now.
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Ruby, Claret in a classic style.

Showing the beauty of the age & vintage. Ruby, inky, ripe, slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, raspberries, dried strawberries & notes of dry cranberries. Dry top soils, dark, rich, forest floor, river stones, dry tobacco, graphite, dark, grey volcanics, limestone/sandstone, anise to black licorice, dark, sweet tarriness, dry, dark dates, steeped tea with dark, withering florals that are also, red, purple and red. The acidity is mountain, cool, stream like and elegant finish that set nicely wire to wire with persistence.

Good first look and will drink well for another 15 years with proper storage.

Allen Brothers Ribcap...10
— 4 years ago

Paul, Ryan and 34 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Only 9.2 after 15 years🤷🏼‍♂️
David T

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It pushes 9.3 but, for $25, I’m not complaining.
Alex Lallos

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05 was their coming out party for sure