Moone-Tsai Vineyards

Hillside Blend Howell Mountain Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

9.514 ratings
9.53 pro ratings
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck
Top Notes For
Sipping Fine Wine

A blend of 58% Cabernet and 42% Merlot, aged for 26 months in French oak (67% new). I'll start off by saying this wine is good now but will be great in another 5-10 years if you have the patience. Rich aromas of dark fruit and mineral spice. Raspberry and juicy cherry with notes of licorice, currants and floral spice. Fine dusty tannins with a rustic edge, well integrated, nice balance, lingering ending with earthy tones.

A blend of 58% Cabernet and 42% Merlot, aged for 26 months in French oak (67% new). I'll start off by saying this wine is good now but will be great in another 5-10 years if you have the patience. Rich aromas of dark fruit and mineral spice. Raspberry and juicy cherry with notes of licorice, currants and floral spice. Fine dusty tannins with a rustic edge, well integrated, nice balance, lingering ending with earthy tones.

1 person found it helpfulJul 14th, 2017
Matt Trader

This is a wine that represents the best of the 2011 vintage, coming out of the famed Howell Mountain A.V.A. I seem to love any wine made by Philipe Melka, so hopefully my bais doesn't completely take over here. This is a Merlot/Cab blend mostly, and it is definitely a Bordeaux styled Napa wine. The nose is very floral, with notes of rose petals and lavender, provancal herbs, pomegranate, and vanilla. The wine is a pretty ruby color with a purple hue, and it has medium viscosity, exhibiting notes of stewed blackberries, ripe red plum, cocoa, smokey cedar, minerals, all ending in a lingering finish. The tannins are supple, and the acidity is refreshing.
This vintage was just slightly less concentrated than the 2012's, so it was a very silky, seductive red, much like a Margaux in character but much more fruit.

Can't wait to see the Moone Tsai 2013 vintage! I think it will be outstanding, in either the Napa Cab, or the Hillside Red, and the great Corleonas.

Cheers!

$69.99

This is a wine that represents the best of the 2011 vintage, coming out of the famed Howell Mountain A.V.A. I seem to love any wine made by Philipe Melka, so hopefully my bais doesn't completely take over here. This is a Merlot/Cab blend mostly, and it is definitely a Bordeaux styled Napa wine. The nose is very floral, with notes of rose petals and lavender, provancal herbs, pomegranate, and vanilla. The wine is a pretty ruby color with a purple hue, and it has medium viscosity, exhibiting notes of stewed blackberries, ripe red plum, cocoa, smokey cedar, minerals, all ending in a lingering finish. The tannins are supple, and the acidity is refreshing.
This vintage was just slightly less concentrated than the 2012's, so it was a very silky, seductive red, much like a Margaux in character but much more fruit.

Can't wait to see the Moone Tsai 2013 vintage! I think it will be outstanding, in either the Napa Cab, or the Hillside Red, and the great Corleonas.

Cheers!

$69.99

Jul 17th, 2016
Scott Petrus

Fruit punches you in the face without being Jammy. Great wine that improved with air. Cassis and blue fruit is the core with enough acidity to wipe the pallet clean.

Fruit punches you in the face without being Jammy. Great wine that improved with air. Cassis and blue fruit is the core with enough acidity to wipe the pallet clean.

Sep 4th, 2019
Emily Trulove

Woah. This is one powerful lady.

Woah. This is one powerful lady.

Jul 31st, 2016
Kristi Devine

Soft and supple with ample tannins

Soft and supple with ample tannins

Nov 26th, 2015
Kyle Volluz

Delicious. Smooth and wonderful on the tongue. Thank you @Samantha Crispin

Delicious. Smooth and wonderful on the tongue. Thank you @Samantha Crispin

Mar 21st, 2015
Ryan Smith

Velvety. Nice balanced tannins. Big dark fruit. Easy drinkin'.

Velvety. Nice balanced tannins. Big dark fruit. Easy drinkin'.

Feb 12th, 2015
Melissa Rozelle Rotay

Fun night with Steve and Ken

Fun night with Steve and Ken

Jan 15th, 2016
Ben Brenner

Ben had this 9 years ago

Ben had this 9 years ago

Mar 12th, 2015
Ara Aslanian

Ara had this 7 years ago

Ara had this 7 years ago

Feb 24th, 2017