After 35 years I was not expecting much. Especially when the cork disintegrated on opening. Aureated on decanting and was happily surprised. After about 20 minutes opened to dark chocolate, leather but so smooth. The last glass was pure delight. Howell Mountain at its best! — a month ago
Powerful, voluptuous wine. Decanted for eight hours (it needed it), but silky and well balanced after that. Lots of blackberry, cassis, tobacco, dark chocolate, oak, graphite, and a hint of vanilla. Gorgeous bouquet. Long finish. — 3 months ago
Was handed a glass of this and without even knowing anything was incredibly impressed. Thought it to be a French wine too, had no inkling it was Napa Cab. Beautiful purple colors that showcases a robust and complex bouquet of blackberries, dark cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. Has some spices too but they are pinned back by the fruit. Medium tannins with medium+ acids, super smooth and well balanced. Vanilla cola, cedar, black currants and more tobacco and chocolate give it a robust and lively blend. Great finish! — 7 days ago
Supremely elegant with plenty of life left, but likely peaking (if it hasn’t already) - loamy soils, dried tobacco, interesting and subtle spice and chocolate on the palate. — 2 months ago
An excellent, smooth wine with floral notes. A little less powerful than other vintages I have tried from Lynch-Bages. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, milk chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and mushrooms. — 3 months ago
On the nose, tobacco, cherry and chocolate. On the palate, dark cherry, cassis, chocolate, full bodied, rich. — 16 days ago
Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 2 months ago
An outstanding wine that is drinking very well now. Powerful, but smooth and refined. Blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, truffles, and cedar. Long, satisfying finish. — 3 months ago
v18. Consistently very good! Soft toasted cedar nose. Luscious black currant and blackberry fruit with a licorice hint. Smooth , tight, black pepper, chocolate and soft strap leather finish. Nice! — 4 months ago
Ryan Jay
2021
Excellent - well rounded, full — 11 days ago