Very complex nose that reminds me of Walla Walla Syrah, even though this neither is from Walla Walla nor contains any Syrah. It’s most Mourvèdre, with some Grenache and Counoise. Oh yes, the nose. It shows sweet, smoky campfire embers, cracked river stones, and perfectly ripe red berry ooze. Round, deep, and low-toned on entry, it’s got a good initial whack of savory and dark fruit flavors. Then, however, it tails off pretty quickly into campfire char and alcoholic pepperiness. With a longer, friendlier finish, this would have been amazing. As it is, it’s pretty damn good. — 18 days ago
Phenomenally balanced Cabernet with lots of young tannins, spice, and stone fruit. Blue fruit on the bouquet. Amazing for such a young wine! — 15 days ago
One hour splash decant.
Cranberries and cherries, herbal seasonings, hints of black tea, leather and smoke. Medium-plus body, good length, good amount of acidity. Overall impression is cool-climate, more Bdx-like than Californian. At the moment a tad reticent, certainly not extracted or hedonistic.
I suppose some extra cellartime will add depth, body and complexity. Promising.
— 9 days ago
One of the birth year bottles I opened for my 33rd this past week. It was opened alongside an ‘88 Chateau de Marbuzet (which never came alive).
Scoring these types of wines is difficult...based on shock factor, this is like a 95...based on profile (in a vacuum), it’s closer to 85...marrying the two, I have no problem giving this a 90-91. This was a bottle acquired from an estate sale. Mostly kept with one owner, it simply wasn’t kept in a temperature controlled environment. Even more, it showed a bit of seepage down the side. Expectations were low, but when removing the capsule, the cork looked quite good. Pulled the cork and it showed very little seepage overall...after pouring, it was shockingly impressive. When compared to the ‘88 Marbuzet, the nose was more ripe and high toned...dirty and ripe black cherries, cherry pipe tobacco, and fig. Very smooth and integrated, obviously, but an incredible structure shows up on the finish. Cocoa dusted dates, bayleaf, cracked black pepper crusted cherries, herbs de Provence and some leather. This powered through 3hrs open in the bottle and just got better and better.
It’s bottles like this that make you sit back and realize how incredible wine can be when it comes in a bottle that is totally unexpected. @Bill Bender , this surpassed even my highest hopes! Bravo! — a day ago
Precision engineering in a bottle. This is so well sculptured. The basic function here is the intensity of the fruit. It’s not bombastic, just intense enough to make you sit a little more upright. For the vintage, this wine has grown up fast. Swipe to the right. — 7 days ago
Deep ruby; medium plus intensity aromas of blackberry, red and black plum, black cherry, pomegranate, forest floor, sweet baking spices; dry, medium plus acid, medium plus smooth tannins, high alcohol, full body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; medium plus finish, well balanced, concentrated, very good — 16 days ago
The Vice Wines Howell Mountain The Coyote Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Napa Valley, California
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one from Napa Valley.
Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Strong nose of blackberries, black plums, raisins, cooked cherries, vanilla, licorice, cedar, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, earth, light vegetables, herbs, graphite and peppercorn.
Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, black currants, cherries, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco leaf, coke, light vegetables, bitter herbs and light earth.
Medium finish with fine grained tannins and spices.
This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Elegant and fruit forward.
This Single Vineyard is still young, but already approachable. A nice wine with good potential. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses, olives and crackers.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were grown at 2,000 feet of elevation. Aged in French oak barrels for 22 months. Unfiltered and unfined.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$70. — 22 days ago
MaJ CappS
Minty hazelnuts - and interesting nose for sure.
Hefty wine, big bodied dark fruits, some mint, tobacco, and stone. A subtle sweetness in the body, with low acidity and grill plank tannins.
— 7 days ago