Moone-Tsai Vineyards

Hillside Blend Howell Mountain Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

9.445 ratings
9.34 pro ratings
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck
Top Notes For
"Odedi"

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here is a beautiful one from Howell Mountain.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Great nose of blueberries, black currants, chocolates, tobacco, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, vinaigrette, earth and black pepper.

Full bodied in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, blueberries, black plums, vanilla, cedar, licorice, light cola, black tea and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This is a wonderful Merlot based Bordeaux Blend from Napa Valley.
Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel and great complexity.

This 8 year old from the great 2012 vintage is drinking very nicely now. Tasty, smooth and easy drinking.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (30 minutes). Just delicious. I loved smelling on it for a long while.

Thank you Wendy for sharing this with me.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

I had it a couple of years ago, and it wasn't quite there. Blossoming now. Delicious and yummy.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and fresh berries.

A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are grown at an elevation of 2,100 feet. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 24 months. Less than 600 cases produced.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$125.

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here is a beautiful one from Howell Mountain.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Great nose of blueberries, black currants, chocolates, tobacco, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, vinaigrette, earth and black pepper.

Full bodied in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, blueberries, black plums, vanilla, cedar, licorice, light cola, black tea and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This is a wonderful Merlot based Bordeaux Blend from Napa Valley.
Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel and great complexity.

This 8 year old from the great 2012 vintage is drinking very nicely now. Tasty, smooth and easy drinking.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (30 minutes). Just delicious. I loved smelling on it for a long while.

Thank you Wendy for sharing this with me.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

I had it a couple of years ago, and it wasn't quite there. Blossoming now. Delicious and yummy.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and fresh berries.

A blend of 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are grown at an elevation of 2,100 feet. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 24 months. Less than 600 cases produced.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$125.

May 7th, 2020
Mike R
9.4

Really serious and amazing wine - it is so ready to be consumed-

Really serious and amazing wine - it is so ready to be consumed-

1 person found it helpfulAug 24th, 2018
Jordan Gianelli

Firm, very tight upon release. I couldn't help myself! I would've waited for at least 2 years to allow the fruit to unfold behind the oak. Hearty oak on this guy.

Firm, very tight upon release. I couldn't help myself! I would've waited for at least 2 years to allow the fruit to unfold behind the oak. Hearty oak on this guy.

Sep 30th, 2015
Joe Gillies

Right in its drinking window. Pnp and no rush to.drink still drinking very well with a couple more years in its peak drinking window.

Right in its drinking window. Pnp and no rush to.drink still drinking very well with a couple more years in its peak drinking window.

Jan 3rd, 2021
Joe Gillies

Wow! Love this. So freaking good, in every way. Has many more years ahead of this.

Wow! Love this. So freaking good, in every way. Has many more years ahead of this.

Jan 4th, 2020
Joe Gillies

Amazing! Drinking well not but will last several more years.

Amazing! Drinking well not but will last several more years.

Oct 31st, 2018
Joe Gillies

Pnp and drinking very well right now. BlackBerry, plum, cassis, and tobacco. So good for fathers day!

Pnp and drinking very well right now. BlackBerry, plum, cassis, and tobacco. So good for fathers day!

Jun 17th, 2018
Joe Gillies

Drinking so well now...Easter Turkey dinner wine.
Big beautiful balanced wine.
Love this stuff, so good.

Drinking so well now...Easter Turkey dinner wine.
Big beautiful balanced wine.
Love this stuff, so good.

Apr 1st, 2018
Bill Crites

A big, bold and forward wine. Right now it needs a lot of air to smooth out the tannins.

A big, bold and forward wine. Right now it needs a lot of air to smooth out the tannins.

Jan 20th, 2017
Joe Gillies

Ideally needs more time in the cellar but a long decant will do. Only able to decant a hour and still somewhat tannic and closed. A big cali wine. Very very good

Ideally needs more time in the cellar but a long decant will do. Only able to decant a hour and still somewhat tannic and closed. A big cali wine. Very very good

Dec 25th, 2016