Spence Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

9.13 ratings
9.12 pro ratings
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Tom Casagrande

Night 2 notes. (It’s better on night 2). Nose has loads of cedar, underbrush, and graphite. Underneath that is some dark cassis. In the mouth, it’s intensely gravelly, with an olivey note and very dark cassis ooze fruit. Still got some soft but puckery tannin. Long smoky finish. Very nice, especially with the rich Portuguese chicken, chourico, and red wine stew I had tonight.

Night 2 notes. (It’s better on night 2). Nose has loads of cedar, underbrush, and graphite. Underneath that is some dark cassis. In the mouth, it’s intensely gravelly, with an olivey note and very dark cassis ooze fruit. Still got some soft but puckery tannin. Long smoky finish. Very nice, especially with the rich Portuguese chicken, chourico, and red wine stew I had tonight.

Apr 15th, 2020
Tom Casagrande

Ready to go and perfect with my grass-fed, organic, Ivy League educated, hard wood charcoal grilled steak. Nose is smoky, olivey, dark berry fruit. Palate is very broad and savory, fanning out over the entire mouth. Mid-palate is not quite as weighty as from a “great” vintage, bit as discounted is a terrific find.

Ready to go and perfect with my grass-fed, organic, Ivy League educated, hard wood charcoal grilled steak. Nose is smoky, olivey, dark berry fruit. Palate is very broad and savory, fanning out over the entire mouth. Mid-palate is not quite as weighty as from a “great” vintage, bit as discounted is a terrific find.

Aug 27th, 2018
Tom Casagrande

Very balanced and restrained for a Howell Mt. cab. Saturated color. Nose has nice interplay between smoky minerals and cassis/blackberry fruit. Dark minerals, dark blackberry skins and licorice attack the palate. Lots of soft tannin and decent acidity assure several more years of development. Long smoky finish. I wish I had grilled a porterhouse to eat with this.

Very balanced and restrained for a Howell Mt. cab. Saturated color. Nose has nice interplay between smoky minerals and cassis/blackberry fruit. Dark minerals, dark blackberry skins and licorice attack the palate. Lots of soft tannin and decent acidity assure several more years of development. Long smoky finish. I wish I had grilled a porterhouse to eat with this.

Sep 15th, 2016