Give this one at least 45 min of air and you will be rewarded with bright raspberry, toast, and Napa Valley (Calistoga) dust. The terroir really comes through here, because, to me, this tastes very little like a Tempranillo from Spain. Very good, though, much like a Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with Tempranillo varietal character. Well-balanced, the tannins are grippy, but rounded and agreeable, the 14.8% abv is fun but not hot, and the acidity is perfect. Big fruit, long finish, what's not to like?
Give this one at least 45 min of air and you will be rewarded with bright raspberry, toast, and Napa Valley (Calistoga) dust. The terroir really comes through here, because, to me, this tastes very little like a Tempranillo from Spain. Very good, though, much like a Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with Tempranillo varietal character. Well-balanced, the tannins are grippy, but rounded and agreeable, the 14.8% abv is fun but not hot, and the acidity is perfect. Big fruit, long finish, what's not to like?
Jun 13th, 2016
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
