2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
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Tasting notes
(15.2% alcohol): Deep, dark ruby. Very primary yet already complex scents of crushed cassis, black raspberry, violet and dark chocolate enlivened by a captivating stoniness. Densely packed, seamless and suave, conveying a captivating impression of sweetness and spreading out impressively to saturate the palate. This very deep, youthful wine boasts a wonderful pliancy of texture and elegance and shows a creaminess to its tannins that gives it the early edge over the even more backward 2013 release. Splendid and quite complete.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The sensational 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (which is reasonably priced, given how superb it is) is her largest cuvée of just under 3,300 cases. It is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest tiny quantities of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Petit Verdot, and a real head scratcher, St. Macaire. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of white flowers, licorice, forest floor and graphite, this wine exhibits classic mulberry, blackberry and blackcurrant fruit notes, some background, vague oak, a full-bodied, beautifully proportioned mouthfeel, and a layered finish. Like most 2014s, it can be drunk now, but it has at least two decades of cellaring potential.
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is packed with black fruit, expresso, chocolate, licorice and graphite. Dense and layered, the 2014 offers notable persistence to match its structured personality. The aromatics show a touch of development, but the tannins are decidedly potent. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Petit Verdot and St. Macaire. The strong presence of blenders may explain the slightly forward character here. I would prefer to drink this over the next handful of years.