Ladera Vineyards
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
No full detailed notes as we had guests for dinner and none left to re-taste today.
This a classic Howell Mountain Cabernet in every way except the price I paid for vintages 2010 and prior. I’ve been able to find it at Costco for around $45. However, I haven’t seen it at Costco since then. Still a blue chip Howell Mountain producer and a steal at that price.
The palate revealed, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, classic Howell Mountain blue fruits and strawberries as it opened up after a 1/2 hour in the glass. Loads of baking spices, excellent structure and length, well balanced fruit and earth loads of violets and lavender, really good acidity and a long, beautiful finish that persisted minutes.
Photos of; their beautiful Howell Mountain property, their barrel/tasting-dining room, terrace tasting patio and their Estate vines.
This drank nicely last night but, would wait another five years to open another. Still has not hit its peak and will age gracefully for another ten plus years.
No full detailed notes as we had guests for dinner and none left to re-taste today.
This a classic Howell Mountain Cabernet in every way except the price I paid for vintages 2010 and prior. I’ve been able to find it at Costco for around $45. However, I haven’t seen it at Costco since then. Still a blue chip Howell Mountain producer and a steal at that price.
The palate revealed, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, classic Howell Mountain blue fruits and strawberries as it opened up after a 1/2 hour in the glass. Loads of baking spices, excellent structure and length, well balanced fruit and earth loads of violets and lavender, really good acidity and a long, beautiful finish that persisted minutes.
Photos of; their beautiful Howell Mountain property, their barrel/tasting-dining room, terrace tasting patio and their Estate vines.
This drank nicely last night but, would wait another five years to open another. Still has not hit its peak and will age gracefully for another ten plus years.
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.
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.
Really enjoyed it and after sitting in the glass for just 15 minutes or so it opened up nicely.
Really enjoyed it and after sitting in the glass for just 15 minutes or so it opened up nicely.
Apr 15th, 2016Ry had this 12 years ago
Ry had this 12 years ago
Aug 19th, 2013
