Our 2003 Dancing Bear Ranch on Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon displays a wonderfully complex aroma of sweet black fruits (currant, plum and blackberry) mingled with notes of chocolate, clove and ginger. This Napa Cab’s rich flavors are juicy, deep and long, with a spicy/herbal tone that evolves into an intriguing tea-leaf spiciness in the wine’s long, satisfying finish. The firm tannins and youthfully compact structure of this lovely Bordeaux-style red, a classic mountain wine, argue for extended cellaring, although it provides great pleasure now when decanted and paired with grilled steaks marinated in a zesty pepper sauce.
News & Acclaim
90 Points
December 31, 2014 – Nicely done and aging well, exhibiting a mix of dark and red fruit, with blackberry, plum, cedar and dried herb flavors and gravel-laced tannins at the foundation. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.—2004 California Cabernet blind retrospective (August 2014). Drink now through 2022.