Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain reveals notes of freshly crushed black currants and blackberries with underlying kirsch, cigar box, dried mint, chargrilled meat and new leather hints. Very big, full-bodied and decadent in the mouth, it has velvety tannins and exotic spices accenting the black fruit preserves flavors, leading to a very long finish.

A wine of density and weight, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) is fabulous. Black cherry, graphite, plum, cloves, lavender and licorice are some of the many notes that meld together in this super-expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Steve Leveque has done a terrific job of marrying the distinctive personality of Howell Mountain with the lush expression of fruit that is the single most prominent characteristic shared by all of the Hall Cabernets.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a ripe, opulent, sexy beast of a wine that gives up lots of blackcurrants, leafy herbs, incense, graphite and spice aromas and flavors. More rounded, supple and plush that some of the other cuvees, it has plenty of density and fruit intensity (it's no lightweight wine and hits 15.3 ABV), building tannin, and a great finish. It should keep for 15+ years.