Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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.

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.