Opened several hours prior and decanted off sediment and a portion of the cork that had broke and crumbled before returning to the bottle. The 2007 “Howell Mountain” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and very slight rim variation. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of dark fruit: black currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is firing on all cylinders right now and the structure suggests the power of the 2007 vintage is not slowing down anytime soon. Drink now with a decant and through 2037 with ease. — 2 months ago
Intense yet balanced, aromas of blackberry and spice, flavors of ripe fruit and a savory finish. 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% petite sirah, 4% Malbec, 2% petit verdot — a month ago
Okay. Again the same dilemma. If a wine does not meet expectation is it basically bad (for me)? 🤔 because in life everything is relative, right? Any thoughts on puzzling matter??The wine was well balanced, dark red fruit flavors, polished, smooth tannins, good intensity and concentration, but limited length and lacking any meaningful complexity… Eight year old left bank Bordeaux. A fourth or fifth growth winery, maybe not, can’t remember for sure. Do remember what I paid though, $120. Definitely too much for what we experienced this evening…. as to our expectations. — 2 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Pretty color of ruby with a wide brick rim.
Nose of red fruits, tobacco leaf, light wood, spices, coffee, black pepper, vegetables and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, fresh cherries, spices, light oak and espresso.
Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a nice 11 year old Barolo.
A little tight right out of the bottle, and needed 90 minutes of airtime.
Fruity on the nose and earthy on the palate. Elegant and soft.
Still feels very young and would be nice to revisit it in a few years.
Not as complex as I expected it to be, but showed a beautiful nose once it opened up.
Not balanced at this point, and a little tart for me. Could be this specific bottle though.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 30 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50. — a month ago
Dan Shel
Finally found something we like more than Wairau River. Flavor is very simular, but Zynsy-pops-alot thinks it’s easier to drink. I agreed. — 9 days ago