Not really what I expected.
Despite the deepish red color, this wine was actually somewhat lean. Not tart or thin per se, but definitely more red fruit side, with a strong herbaceous character coming through. My main complaint, though, is the structure and extraction of the wine, at this point in time, was a little thin for the amount of oak I tasted. B/B-Also: 2005 Elizabeth Spencer Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. This was also a surprise, but a very positive one. Lots of anise and black cherry on the nose. Surprisingly elegant wine-no sign of goopyness or over extraction here. Instead, we get a very bright and lively mountain cab with nice berry brambly fruit, anise, earth, and plenty of acidity. refreshing, even, which seems rare for a modern Napa Cab! Nice medium mouthfeel...not heavy at all. Alcohol balanced and not obtrusive. Oak not obtrusive. Bravo! A very nice wine. A/A-
2007 Flor Monastrel (Catalunya)> Fruity, cheap ($12) Spanish red with a nice earthy bitter herb character that makes it nice. B.
2008 Botegas Ateca Garnacha. This was quite nice. Tons of herbs and pepper and spice. Yum. Just yum. Wine Anthology sums it up:
Bright purple. Intensely floral bouquet offers scents of black raspberry, lavender, Indian spices and white pepper. Juicy dark berry flavors are complicated by notes of candied flowers and pepper and show no rough edges. The floral quality resonates on the spicy, long finish. I'd drink this over the next few years to take advantage of its vivacious fruit.