Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Bottle enjoyed last night. Notes are from memory today.

While 2010 is not my favorite Napa vintage, it was not bad. In many 2010’s I’ve had, the structure, texture and body are just not quite all there. However, Howell Mountain wines, for me, faired better.

There are a number of good Howell Mountain producers, Dunn being one of my favorites. I think Ladera Vineyards is one of the more underrated Howell Mountain producers. Especially, at a Costco price of around $45.

The blue fruits that shine in Howell Mountain wines are always unmistakable. Blueberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, raspberry cola, light spice, soft leather, saddle-wood, lavender and violets. Beautiful acidity. The structure is good. The body round and elegant. The length, tension and balance just now coming into its own. Still needs a few more years to hit its peak. The finish is soft, round, elegant and beautiful. Lasts full two minutes.

Photos of; the winery and beautiful grounds, outside terrace, special event tasting & dinning room and their Estate vines. — 7 years ago

Carol Kellett

9.1

better than OK :) — 8 years ago

Eric

9.0

Funky mountain nose. Nicely concentrated blackberry palate, with plenty of spice and tannin left. Good QPR at 50 bones. Probably even better in a few years. — 9 years ago

Rick Phillips

9.3

Excellent Flavor. Smooth! — 9 years ago

with Letha

Luke Longney

9.0

More full bodied than most from central otago. Very nice — 9 years ago

Debbie Shing

8.9

Thanks @eugene_vin for this bottle! Fleshy, rich Chardonnay, very Meursault-like in style w toasty nuts, floral & spice complexity. The intensity & ripe nature of the fruit flavours (vs subtlety) being one of its only signs of New World-ness. Yummy. — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.3

Soon good. — 10 years ago

Gordon Walker

9.1

Bright cherry color, red fruit, cranberries, currants, herbal notes, hint of EA/VA, pretty decent structure for something so light in color. Good stuff from the VQA wines — 10 years ago

Lauren Brooke

9.3

I likely. A 70 year old man w a 1/4 acre property still doing hand punch downs. Cheers, my man! Minerals and spice... A a true Cali PN — 12 years ago

Trudy Murray

9.1

Really enjoy and now I know why. PG is from a red grape. Thank you Alan! — 12 years ago

Jennifer Liu

8.9

$16.99 from new season. Good at the first day. The second day, it tastes a bit more sour. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

This is from the Waipara Valley in Canterbury just north of Christchurch and not to be confused with Wairarapa just north of Wellington in Martinborough. Must try more Pinots from this region. Not as full bodied as Otago being more minerally from the Gravel soils. — 8 years ago

David Madison

9.0

Delightful with Mediterranean food — 9 years ago

Justin Hart

8.9

A little over ripe cherry on tge nose and the palette. Typical of red mtn. Yum! — 9 years ago

with Alex, Jenny and 2 others

Eric Hwang

9.4

Rich complex aromas of mushroom and cola. Spicy, earthy, zippy red fruit, and a soft mellow finish. — 9 years ago

Adam M. Rammel

9.6

Oak. Huge blackberry, cherry and cassis flavors. Just right. Giggity. — 10 years ago

David Brewer

9.2

It was a Scherrer kind of night. Rich and savory with a chocolate essence that sticks with you long after the wine is gone. — 10 years ago

James Corley

9.4

This is my favorite pinot. — 10 years ago

Steve Steese

9.0

Digging deep tonight, still tons of rich baked fruit, stewed with leather and herbal tones. — 11 years ago

with Jayme

Ray Voigt

9.8

Excellent Washington Cab Sav — 12 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

Made an impromptu stop at Stonestreet the last time we were in Napa/Sonoma. Had a little unexpected time between tastings. Man it was sure HOT when we were there in September. I remember the estate was in great condition. Beautiful scenery and some of the views from eastern Healdsburg and Geyserville are hard to beat. It was about 95 degrees AT THE WINERY in the middle of a Napa heat wave. This wine hit the spot. A nice, crisp, lighter bodied wine with a crisp side to it, yet didn't feel as though your tongue was burning. Edges on this one were rounded even from the start. More of a lemon curd, but also some lime and honeysuckle. Middle had good weight, a little silkier than I had anticipated. The finish is lighter, mostly lemon and lime. Not a powerhouse, but was really nice on that 95 degree September "summer" day in Healdsburg, and pretty darn good tonight. — 7 years ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Really nice. Bigger than the Gravelly meadow and Red Rock Terrace, without the acidity. But still better than 90% of the bottles in Napa. — 8 years ago

Keith Crump

9.0

Good well made Martinborough Pinot — 9 years ago

Rob Moose

9.0

A much improved wine on day 2. This Pinot seems to have staying power, nice structure with a delicate blessing of red fruit. Would like to revisit with food, as opposed to a hotel room tipple in OKC — 9 years ago

Flip Lower

9.8

Still young, needs a few years of bottle time — 9 years ago

Adam Bailey

9.0

Small production vineyard at 1400' in Sonoma produces a huge Zinfadel that starts big and gets bigger as it goes. Tons of berry, but a bit young and explosive yet. Lay it down for a year or two. Sorry for the unintentional Pope reference. — 10 years ago

David Refuerzo

9.1

Excellent aged, but still fruit forward Santa Lucia Pinot. A little earth on the nose. — 10 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.2

Pear on the nose. Just slightly tart. Apple and honey on the tongue. Pairs well with pork belly. — 10 years ago

Austin Beeman

8.9

A solid adult professional Zin. On a big frame. $37.99 — 11 years ago

with David, Kristie and 2 others

D J

9.1

Enjoyable wine and very mellow from start to finish. Great flavors and not to sharp. Would recommend. — 12 years ago