Herold Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Again the 2011 Napa cabs surprise me as they are drinking much better than critics predicted

Another 2011 that doesn't suck. Damn the luck!! This wine was waaaaaay better at 1 hr than at cork pop. This wine was a little green on the front initially and had the "dreaded green pepper" note until it started to reveal its own character. After an hour, nose was chocolate and Fig Newton. Hint of green pepper even after an hour, but not at the forefront. The entry was blackberry and fig, licorice density in the middle. There is still a rather unidentified note here in the middle. Herbal. The finish was peppery and almost had a little jalapeño fire. Tannin was medium. Wine overall was medium+ bodied.

Lovely wines produces big smiles

Fun blind tasting of Napa Valley Cabernets, we decided to choose two from 2011 while my Dad selected two different vintages of Caymus Special Selection.

A lot better than last time with a couple hours in the decanter. Deep ruby with garnet edges. Lots of aged characteristics on the nose, mushrooms, forest floor, chalk, peppers, a touch floral and dark fruits. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium bodied. A touch of green pepper on the palate with quite a bit of oak notes. Woody, perfume, light blue and black fruits. Rounded and well integrated throughout. Medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2020. (92+)

Wednesday night and went to cellar and lately I have been digging into holes looking for wine I don't normally go to - why - well you bought it so you need to drink it - my wife is not happy with my judgement and craves her 9.4 and higher rated Napa cab - so that said as a qualifier I say this

Decanted 2 hours and first sip is not bad - actually I like it - but the normal posse (WNH) would never be served this in visiting for they would as I do not call this BiG BOLD BEAUTIFUL

What I call this -- color is nice and works with its dark reddish color - smell and taste is a little short of the goal but surprising in not trying to disguise with pepper - more black fruits and currants than you might expect - finish also surprised me and reminded me of the white label by Mark - it was at least a minute

I think all this is summed best by using @Antonio Galloni review which I restate as [91-93pts Vinous] The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Herold by Mark Herold is mostly about pure energy and tension at this stage. There is plenty of inner sweetness in the glass, so it will be interesting to see where the wine goes over the coming year. - [*Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2012*]

I know it is 2011 but suggest giving this a new try and I bet the rating might have improved

All said it is hump day according to a GEICO commercial with a camel which says "Mike Mike Mike' for it is Wednesday and this wine is leaving with a nice smile!!!! May the rest of your week be all smiles folks

Tried this wine over three days but if we could redo it, we would have done it all on day one with a 6+ hour decant. Dark garnet red with a slight crimson hue. Some interesting notes of the nose. Some dark cocoa, cassis, dark berries, and slight herbal notes. The attack of the palate was coated in vegetal and green notes like a freshly broken branch, green bell peppers and something similar to sage. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) with an unbalanced body, but potential is there if this wine can get it together and integrate in the next couple years. Finished off some slight minerality. Of course with all of Mark Herold's wines there is some sediment in the glass, all of his wines are unfiltered. Drink till 2026.

Excellent Cab. Full body, smooth,

Mark Herald. Remember that name. Master wine make for many boutique wineries. This is his label. Great deep bodied red. Went well with the fillet mignonette we had.

Unbelievable hot peppers on the nose and finishing off the palate. Otherwise, lots of body and tannins and fruit. The Habenero Sculpin of cabs.

Thank you Madison!!!