Winery
of the Week:
Howell Mountain Vineyards - Napa Valley
In
1988, Mike Beatty and another prominent Howell
Mountain vineyard owner started Howell Mountain
Vineyards to produce their own wines and showcase their
grapes. The focus was on producing quality in the field with
minimal intervention winemaking in order to showcase the unique
characteristics of this distinctive appellation. That philosophy
hasn't changed over the years and with winemaker Byran Kane
overseeing the process, Howell Mountain Vineyards
keeps producing world-class wines.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Howell Mt. - Napa Valley
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 70-75
Review:
Fragrances of currants, blackberries, and boysenberries
mingle with suggestions of dark chocolate, earth, and
olive on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of baked currants
and bramble fruit that open up into coffee, earth, and
herbaceous notes. Not as fruit-driven as most California
Cabs, the wine delivers dark fruit and supple tannins
that make it ideal for aging. 222 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Howell Mt. - Napa Valley
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, boysenberries, and cherries interweave
with hints of vanilla and spice on the nose. Black cherry,
bramble fruit, and currants flavors unfold into notes
of cola, anise, and cardamon on the palate. A dark Zin,
with silky tannins, it's light and approachable, yet offers
some interesting layers. 200 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2011 Petite Verdot
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Petite Verdot
Region: Howell Mt. - Napa Valley
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
A bouquet of cherries, currants, earth, and baker's chocolate
greets the senses. Flavors of currant, cherry, and blackberry
meld with notes of baking spice, dark chocolate, and earth
on the palate. Lively and bright with good structure,
it will pair nicely with your favorite lamb dish. 100
cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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