Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (http://www.cgcw.com)) in the August 2010 issue. Another fine member of the Duckhorn portfolio, this sturdy, deeply flavored blend of classic Bordelaise reds takes its direction ...Link your account to read the full reviewRating: 92/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (http://www.cgcw.com)) in the August 2010 issue. Another fine member of the Duckhorn portfolio, this sturdy, deeply flavored blend of classic Bordelaise reds takes its direction from Cabernet first and foremost. Big and brooding with a certain mountain brashness about it, it is a weighty, full-bodied working of great substance and strength. More sinewy than most of its siblings, it comes with a full measure of gruff tannins, but juicy, well-ripened fruit trumps astringency at every turn, and there is no question but that it has the right stuff to age brilliantly for a decade or more.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Cellar for future drinking. Wine will improve with bottle aging.

The unique climate and soils on Howell Mountain are the key to the appellation’s success in producing powerful, age-worthy wines. Duckhorn Vineyards has sourced grapes from this distinctive region for more than a quarter century and has crafted a Howell Mountain bottling since 1989. Over the years, we have increased our commitment to this appellation with the purchase of two spectacular vineyards, Candlestick Ridge (28 acres) and Stout Ranch (36 acres). To encourage further complexity, we bottle-age this wine a year longer than our other wines prior to release. As a result, our Howell Mountain blend characteristically offers excellent structure and deep color. This wine is suitable for long-term cellaring.

Crafted around a core of robust, mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, this Napa Valley wine embodies the power and intensity of its rugged, high-elevation terroir. The blend focuses on fruit from our two Howell Mountain Estate vineyards-Stout and Candlestick Ridge-yielding a wine with exceptional structure and extracted aromatics of peppermint, chocolate, bramble, cedar, soy and ginger spice. On the palate, it is lush and mouth-filling, highlighting Howell Mountain’s signature wild berry and currant flavors, alongside notes of toasted marshmallow, espresso, earth, sage and sandalwood.

Another fine member of the Duckhorn portfolio, this sturdy, deeply flavored blend of classic Bordelaise reds takes its direction from Cabernet first and foremost. Big and brooding with a certain mountain brashness about it, it is a weighty, full-bodied working of great substance and strength. More sinewy than most of its siblings, it comes with a full measure of gruff tannins, but juicy, well-ripened fruit trumps astringency at every turn, and there is no question but that it has the right stuff to age brilliantly for a decade or more.