2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
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Tasting notes
(14.8% alcohol): Good medium red with ruby tones. Also slightly wild on the nose, conveying a slightly medicinal cast to its liqueur-like flavors of dark berries, graphite, forest floor and tobacco. Densely packed, juicy and concentrated, with the wine's liqueur-like ripeness contributing to its appeal; but savory soil tones, a balsamic element and sound acidity cut the wine's sweetness. The tannins are nicely integrated but still firm. There was no Merlot in the blend in 2002 as most of it had been removed in the construction of the winery on the Rancho del Oso site.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
This profound blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec displays an inky/purple color along with stunning aromas of lead pencil shavings intertwined with spring flowers, black raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Deep and full-bodied with that foresty, mossy character that adds complexity as well as abundant freshness and definition that are remarkable for such a concentrated, full throttle, intense effort, this youthful, impressive 2002 is capable of lasting another two decades. Tel. (707) 965-2898; Fax (707) 965-3010
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a raw, untamed wine. Potent tannins enshroud a core of dark fruit, graphite, scorched earth and dried herbs. At twenty years of age, the 2002 still has plenty of size, but I don't see it improving much from here or shedding its core of rusticity. If anything, the 2002 is starting to fray a bit at the edges.