2013 Moone-Tsai Hillside Blend
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Tasting notes
The other cuvée made by the winery is the Proprietary Red Hillside Blend. The 2013 Proprietary Red Hillside Blend Howell Mountain is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, all coming from the Ink Grade Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Quite impressive, yet not scheduled for bottling until February, the wine has an opaque purple color and a gorgeous nose of graphite, mocha, chocolate, crème de cassis and plum as well as Asian spice, a full-bodied mouthfeel, terrific texture and a multi=layered finish of a good 45+ seconds. This wine should turn out to be brilliant, drinking well young and aging for a quarter century or more.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A wine of pedigree and intensity, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain exudes richness. Savory and mineral notes meld with intense inky fruit in an ample, full-bodied wine with real pedigree. There is a level of pure density and opulence to the 2013 that is incredibly appealing. The fruit sources are Ink Grade Vineyard and Howell Mountain. The 2013 is shaping up to be a jewel.
A vivid, chiseled wine, the 2013 Howell Mountain Hillside Blend is absolutely brilliant and full of potential. Once again, the interplay of Howell Mountain intensity and ripeness is nicely tempered by the heavy presence of Merlot. The balance of aromatics, fruit, acidity and structure is inspired. My guess is that the Howell Mountain Hillside Blend will soon become the flagship wine at Moone-Tsai. It is without question the most distinctive wine in the range.