Fire On The Mountain

Quilceda Creek

Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 opened April 2025. This is a luscious wine, but I can’t help but nitpick. All the individual components are very one-dimensional. That’s not to say they all don’t work together well to make a great wine – but there’s nothing challenging on the palate about this vintage. If you like the monolithic cabs produced by Opus 1, then this wine is for you. However, I’d prefer a little more quirky individualism in my tipples.

The nose is overwhelmingly tobacco. The front is heavy with red fruit. The tannic structure is heavy, smooth, and silky. It has a medium long finish with hints of volcanic minerals. This wine is so perfect that it’s boring. If you like perfect perfection then up my score to 100 points, but I like the little challenges that quirky vintages give me.
— 4 days ago

Lamborn Family Vineyards

Proprietor Grown Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Ron R
9.4

Double magnum celebrating my daughter’s marriage.
Excellent wine. Beautiful nose of cassis and blueberries. Coffee notes on the mid palate, with very little oak to talk about. Nice texture supported by muscular tannins. Finishes moderately sweet. Nice acidity suggests that there’s no rush to consume this.
— 2 months ago

James Ayling
with James
Dawn, Dick and 25 others liked this
Jose Lorenzo

Jose Lorenzo

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Paul J

Paul J

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Ron R

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Guys and Gals, your well wishes are appreciated. Thank You 🙏🏾

La Jota Vineyard Co.

Howell Mountain Merlot 2020

Blend of mostly Merlot with a little Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, sweet spice and espresso notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with toasty oak, cacao and espresso. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and sweet pepper spice. Will age, but nice now! — 4 months ago

Tom and Paul liked this

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Have It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix


Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim. 


Nose of red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, tobacco leaf, herbs, cola, Mediterranean spices, light vegetables, earth, dark chocolates and black pepper.


Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.


Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, cedar, licorice, toast, light vanilla, chocolates, tobacco, diet cola, herbs, coffee, vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn. 


Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.


This 4-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking very fresh and young. Fruit forward with lots of earth notes to compliment it. 


Rich, elegant and not in your face kind of Napa Cabernet. Spicy and tangy. Complex and interesting. 


Showing a really nice nose, once it opened up, with lots of earth notes. Reminds me of a Left Bank Bordeaux. Delicious. 

 

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter. 


Needs more bottle time, and will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. A good quality wine with good potential to become a 94+ point wine.  


I had a few vintages of this wine, and it truly shines at 20 years of age. 


A good sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak. Paired really well with my Stilton Blue Cheese. 


A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and a touch of Merlot. Aged in (65% new) French oak barrels for 18 months. 


14.3% alcohol by volume. 


92 points. 


$65.
— 2 months ago

Doug, Ted and 8 others liked this

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Classic. Treasure found at the local wine shop for a deal. Beautiful Napa cab nose full of blue/darkfruit. You notice the blend on the palate - cab franc, petit verdot, merlot and a bit of malbec. Just really well put together. Going to venture out and get more tomorrow. — 2 months ago

Paul K
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Paul, Tom and 16 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Agreed @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego !! We were members for years. Actually got engaged there. Love their wine! Contemplating joining again. Any experience with their new wine / approach?
9.4
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Paul K Yes, tasted some of the new project from there but didn’t like it enough to put in my notes. I’d hold off taking the plunge for another year or two. Pick up a handful of bottles in the market/online, reevaluate the next two vintages and then take the plunge or route the $$$ elsewhere depending on the results.
Paul K

Paul K

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego great advice. Much appreciated!

La Jota Vineyard Co.

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Fantastic. Enjoyed our last bottle of a case of 2013 on Christmas Eve. Sad it's gone. — 4 months ago

Juslyn Vineyards

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Deep garnet with terracotta . Quite rich concentrated nose , slightly roasted spicy , oaky nose, cassis , dark plum , quite rich and dense. Slightly sweet on the palate , but with red plum , spiced orange rind , cassis , cacao . A bit alcoholic on the palate too. Quite rounded , but gritty tannins and just balanced acidity . Slightly Foursquare on the finish , with spiced cherry , cacao . Drink now and over the next 5 years or so . — 2 months ago

David, Tom and 2 others liked this

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

A Burgundian-styled Cab Sauv from the one of the most compelling Sub AVA of Napa mountains (Mayacamas) which has an amazing soil and solid influence from the Pacific. Crafted with an amazing balance of 68% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 5% and the rest to round it off its structure and age ability. The 2011 is still climbing to its peak. Enticing notes of dry red fruits on the nose and mouth, delicate, outstandingly silky and nearly perfect balance!
The finish shows its beauty. (if you find it, it won’t disappoint you) it will give the run for the money.
— 2 months ago

Canvasback (Duckhorn Vineyards)

Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

1/2025. A nice Washington Cab. Good flavor and nice on the palate. — 3 months ago

Dave liked this

Outpost

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium viscosity; dark, glass-painter. Warm cherries in black and deep red with brownie and tiramisu notes. Nano star anise, black pepper, and tea. These on the nose. Sublime mouthfeel showcases the blackberry, black currant, boysenberry, coffe and sweet tobacco notes that rotate into a persistent resonance.

#outpost #howellmountain #napa #cabernet #cab #cabernetsauvignon #cawine #mountainfruit
— 4 months ago

Tom, ESF and 3 others liked this