Howell Mountain Napa Valley
This is a very rich
wine. Complex, too. With every sip. it seems to
offer a little more of itself. On the surface, it's dry,
tannic and fruity. with blackberry, black currant,
dark chocolate and cedar flavors. But it has
mineral and herb nuances that seem to spring
from the soil, and the depth and finish are
impressive. Drinkable now for sheer luxury, and
should continue to develop over the next decade.
Wine Enthusiast rated the 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon on Howell Mountain a 94. December 1, 2010 issue
From the Wine Advocate #186, December 2009
The outstanding 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch Proprietary Red (79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc) is a medium-bodied, elegant Cabernet-based wine with a dense purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of loamy soil, crushed rock, black currant, plum, licorice, and a hint of subtle, well-integrated new oak. Approachable now, this 2006 promises to evolve for 12-15+ years. Drink: 2009 - 2024.
Robert Parker rated this wine 90+.
The Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
NOVEMBER 25, 2009 PRESS RELEASE
"Kansas City, Missouri – The Jefferson Cup Invitational has celebrated its tenth year as the only competition
that honors the best of the best among wineries from all of America’s wine regions. Each year we select
great wines from across America; the 2009 competition included wines from twenty-three states. At the end
of the second day of this year's tasting, November 20th, wines from SIX different states had captured top
honors. Just as the event’s namesake would have it, democracy reigned at this year’s Jefferson Cup Wine
Competition."
The 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch, Howell Mountain was awarded the esteemed Jefferson Cup in this 2009 competition.
The 2010 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition has just given their results. This competition utilized 17 renowned wine journalist as judges led by Mary Ewing-Mulligan and Robert Whitely. Our Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon came away with a silver medal this year.
This prestigious wine compettion has awarded our 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain a silver award in the 2010 competition. It features aromas of ripe black fruits, forest-floor spice, and rich fig and chocolate tones. On the beautifully structured palate, the wine delivers intensely concentrated blackberry, blackcurrant, wild cherry and ripe fig flavors balanced by firm acidity and round, silky tannins. Built for aging and with a deep core of fruit that unfolds in a lengthy, spice-and-mineral tinged finish, this dramatic mountain red makes compelling drinking now, yet its tight-knit structure argues for another 7-10 years of bottle age.
Our lovely 2006 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain has been awarded the silver medal by the judges of the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
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Grape Variety:
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot,
4% Cabernet Franc
Winemaker:
Julianne Laks
Vineyards:
100% Dancing Bear Ranch, Howell Mountain
Alcohol content: 14.8%
Harvest dates:
September 30 through October 2, 2006
Total acidity:
0.68 g/100ml
Fermentation:
Stainless Steel
pH: 3.79
Barrel aging:
26 months in French oak, 60% new
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