14.9% alcohol; from vines at 2,100 feet, 100 feet higher than the original estate vineyard): Bright, dark red. Slightly cooler, more medicinal aromas than the regular Howell Mountain bottling, offering scents of raspberry, cherry, menthol and rocky minerality. Less dense and sweet in the middle palate but more delineated and refined, with juicy black cherry and herb flavors displaying good energy and freshness. Finishes firm and persistent for a 2011, with solid medicinal reserve. I find a narrower range of ripeness here than in the regular cabernet release.
