Moone-Tsai Vineyards

Hillside Blend Howell Mountain Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

9.329 ratings
9.33 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 70% Cabernet and 30% Merlot, aged for 26 months in French oak (2/3 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. Ruby with rich aromas of dark fruit, smoke & spice. Flavors of jammy blackberry, current and cherry with notes of licorice, cacao and spice. Fine dusty tannins with a rustic edge, well integrated, nice balance, long ending with earthy tones. Small production! Tasting Sample!

A blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Merlot, aged for 26 months in French oak (2/3 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. Ruby with rich aromas of dark fruit, smoke & spice. Flavors of jammy blackberry, current and cherry with notes of licorice, cacao and spice. Fine dusty tannins with a rustic edge, well integrated, nice balance, long ending with earthy tones. Small production! Tasting Sample!

Jun 27th, 2020
WineMascot

Really pretty, red fruit and hint cedar. Touch of jam

Really pretty, red fruit and hint cedar. Touch of jam

Nov 5th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose; huckleberry, olallieberries, plums, blueberries, baking spices and fresh violets in dark floral bouquet. The body and tannins are M+ Huckleberry, ollieberries, plums, blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, baking spices, spice, cedar, leather, pipe tobacco, crushed dry rocks, powdery volcanic minerals, good round acidity and nicely polished finish. Nice wine with potential for more as it bottle ages.

On the nose; huckleberry, olallieberries, plums, blueberries, baking spices and fresh violets in dark floral bouquet. The body and tannins are M+ Huckleberry, ollieberries, plums, blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, baking spices, spice, cedar, leather, pipe tobacco, crushed dry rocks, powdery volcanic minerals, good round acidity and nicely polished finish. Nice wine with potential for more as it bottle ages.

Aug 27th, 2017
Andy Hall

Delicious!

Delicious!

Nov 28th, 2021
Andy Hall

What a wine. Soft smooth edges. A nice blend of merlot and Cabernet that shows a lot of ripe red fruit balanced by the right amount of acid. A very long layered finish. This bottle was empty in a flash. This wine should age out for another 10 years but it is drinking great right now!

What a wine. Soft smooth edges. A nice blend of merlot and Cabernet that shows a lot of ripe red fruit balanced by the right amount of acid. A very long layered finish. This bottle was empty in a flash. This wine should age out for another 10 years but it is drinking great right now!

Jun 19th, 2021
Paul K
9.2

Great wine! Fruit still hiding a little and nice tannins will make the a rockstar with some patience.

Great wine! Fruit still hiding a little and nice tannins will make the a rockstar with some patience.

Apr 24th, 2021
Gunja Gargeshwari

After an hour long decant this opened up nicely. I think it would be much better with a longer decant and/or a few more years of cellaring.

After an hour long decant this opened up nicely. I think it would be much better with a longer decant and/or a few more years of cellaring.

May 8th, 2020
Kelly Garland

Very very good

Very very good

Dec 17th, 2019
David Walser

In the St. Tropez bay on Crystal Serenity enjoying this lovely wine with Beef Wellington. Opened the bottle last night with prime rib and saved half the bottle for tonight. Better tonight than last night by a degree.

In the St. Tropez bay on Crystal Serenity enjoying this lovely wine with Beef Wellington. Opened the bottle last night with prime rib and saved half the bottle for tonight. Better tonight than last night by a degree.

Aug 21st, 2019
Hugh Shoff

Manny, Stephanie, lisa

Manny, Stephanie, lisa

Nov 5th, 2018