Howell Mountain Vineyards
Howell Mountain Old Vine Zinfandel
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Rewarding myself for successfully getting the meatballs prepped for cooking! HMV’s Howell Mtn Zins are so unique and are more a reflection of the terroir than the Zinfandel grape. Almost Bandol-like in the earthy aromas reminiscent of black peppercorn shells and tree bark, with very focused fruit playing a secondary role. Deep and bone dry in the mouth, with mouthwatering acids (yes, nice acid structure in a Zin). Still a little tannic, but drinking beautifully right now. Ends on a distinctive note seemingly an amalgam of graphite and tar.
UPDATE: On night 3 a tremendous purity of fruit emerges on the palate. What a terrific wine.
Rewarding myself for successfully getting the meatballs prepped for cooking! HMV’s Howell Mtn Zins are so unique and are more a reflection of the terroir than the Zinfandel grape. Almost Bandol-like in the earthy aromas reminiscent of black peppercorn shells and tree bark, with very focused fruit playing a secondary role. Deep and bone dry in the mouth, with mouthwatering acids (yes, nice acid structure in a Zin). Still a little tannic, but drinking beautifully right now. Ends on a distinctive note seemingly an amalgam of graphite and tar.
UPDATE: On night 3 a tremendous purity of fruit emerges on the palate. What a terrific wine.
About to go grill a beautiful porterhouse and popped this to go with it. So dead-on for old vine Howell Mountain fruit: intense cracked black peppercorn earthiness, stone dust, dark wild berry fruit. Palate is dense with the same components but whisked along by electric-tingly acids. It’s so hard to find that sweet spot of fruit, earth, acid, and this nails it. God this is good.
About to go grill a beautiful porterhouse and popped this to go with it. So dead-on for old vine Howell Mountain fruit: intense cracked black peppercorn earthiness, stone dust, dark wild berry fruit. Palate is dense with the same components but whisked along by electric-tingly acids. It’s so hard to find that sweet spot of fruit, earth, acid, and this nails it. God this is good.
Aug 9th, 2023Wowza. Old vine Zin from Howell Mountain, treated gently and not too ripe, leads with an earthy black peppercorn note and this has it. Underneath is spicy dark berry fruit. On the palate the peppercorn earthiness follows through, but ripe crimson berry fruit is there, spice, and there is electric ⚡️⚡️acidity. Tannins are soft, zero jamminess. Just beautiful.
Wowza. Old vine Zin from Howell Mountain, treated gently and not too ripe, leads with an earthy black peppercorn note and this has it. Underneath is spicy dark berry fruit. On the palate the peppercorn earthiness follows through, but ripe crimson berry fruit is there, spice, and there is electric ⚡️⚡️acidity. Tannins are soft, zero jamminess. Just beautiful.
Dec 4th, 2022