Neal Family Vineyards, Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Opened sometime prior service; enjoy over the course of an hour. The 2021 Howell Mountain pours a deep garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: blackberries, currants, plum, mixed flowers, tobacco, rocky earth and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes …

2021 vintage

Similar to prior notes after PNP at Le Dip in DC; very good, drink or preferably hold for at least another year or 2.

2016 vintage

Similar to prior notes after PNP at Le Dip in DC; very good, drink or preferably hold for at least another year or 2.

2016 vintage

Black raspberry, bright red cherry, chocolate. Love this bottle. Gritty tannins still present, good acidity, alcohol slightly noticeable, but doesn't ruin the wine. Great value.

2016 vintage

Similar to prior note after double decanting for 2 hours; very good, but still young, drink or preferably hold for at least another year or 2.

2016 vintage

This wine was so good a few years ago when tasted at the estate, but drunk now it was a bit simple and raisin-y. Could just be the bottle; could be that it was better young.

2016 vintage

Berries, cocoa, and earth to the nose. First impressions on taste were of a full bodied, soft palate of berries, leather and a hint of chocolate. Very long finish. This one is tasting great now and I bet it would be as good 5-10 years from now. A great wine!

2016 vintage

Opened at home. The wine had bright red fruit on the nose with some slight earthy notes and sweet tobacco on the pallet. It was soft and had mild tenants for 2016 I was surprised at the lack of depth and lack of darkness from the fruit, but overall quality product that probably can still sit For a few more years

2016 vintage

Two hour decant. Very deep magenta color. Red licorice, fresh raspberry, chestnut, and subtle maple syrup. Dry palate. Very soft tannins on the medium finish. This has a nice nose, but the back end is surprisingly weak. Shared with some friends and opinions were all over the place.

2016 vintage

After 75 minutes in the decanter there's lush, dark Mountain fruit and grilled meat on the nose - and no, I haven't fired up the smoker yet! The approach is very dry with fine, dusty tannins that concentrate front-palate but eventually push farther back, lengthening the finish. Nice wine and priced fairly. I love the family and truly appreciate their perfect sized (for solo nights) 500 ML bottles but as others note, I'd like a little bit more depth and …

2016 vintage

Double decanted for 2 hours, deep ruby/purple, dark fruit with some vanilla, med/firm tannins, med. finish; very good, but still young, drink or preferably hold. This bottle did not taste as good as when we had it at the vineyard, probably had a much longer decant.

2016 vintage

Popped and poured by 2 hour smoothed out. Dark fruit and tobacco. Starting to come into its own.

2016 vintage

Coravined. Deep dark magenta color. Blueberry, dark raspberry, violets, rose petals, fig, and parsley on the nose. Smooth, dry palate, with soft, tongue coating acidity. Firm tannins on the longish finish. This is solid and would likely be better with a two hour decant.

2016 vintage

Nose: Slightly closed and elusive on the nose right now. Black fruit, oak, cedar and mint notes. Palate: Blackberry, dark raspberry, fruit leather and boysenberry. Touch of anise and creamy oak notes. A full palate without excessive weight, but I would like more depth. Finish: Dark and ripe tannins show good grip. Boysenberry and warm leather. Needs time, but excellent for the prices HM is getting these days.

2016 vintage

This was a magnum, it continued to open for over 4 hours and developed positively with tannins integrating with the medium fruit body with hints of leather. Very smooth later on with finish extending as time went on. Disappointed at first given the price point, but the last glass left me wanting more. Very nice for a 2003 - way to go Howell Mtn

2003 vintage

Deep dark fruit. Tannins have integrated. This will last for a number of years.

2003 vintage

Pop and pour - note after 90 minutes. Graphite and lead pencil on the nose. Medium weight palate, tannins are integrated - not terribly complex. Drink now.

2003 vintage

good but agree with others nothing exceptional. I recall enjoying the standard blend more for the money.

2003 vintage

Very rustic. Not refined at all

2003 vintage

Ok but not special

2003 vintage

Varietally correct and pure - but not with much complexity. Better on Day 1 than on Day 2.

2003 vintage

Blind. Well made but boring.

2003 vintage

Classic Howell Mountain style showed well among this horizontal of 2003 Neal single-vineyard cabs. Definitely a nice line-up of wines (with some interesting stylistic variations among them).

2003 vintage

After a 1 hour decant, the table's reaction was: "This is a wine you can chew, it's so big!" Massive structure, but hit mid palate and carried on from there. Surprisingly it wasn't hot. 3 hours after opening, it integrated well, had typical Neal smokiness, tobacco.

2003 vintage

Same as before.

2003 vintage

Thick and rich black cherry with chewy tannins. Need to sit but can see potential.

2003 vintage

Served as part of a flight at the SF Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant with Mark and Gove in attendance. Sort of a eucalytus nose with dark berry notes; still a tannic beast with a dry finish. Probably needs 3-5 years cellaring before drinking.

2003 vintage

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Neal Family Vineyards, Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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