TN: 2005 Piedra Hill Vineyard (W.H. Smith) Cabernet Sauvignon Purple Label

mike_pobega · January 27, 2012, 10:44pm

2005 Piedra Hill Vineyard (W.H. Smith) Cabernet Sauvignon Purple Label - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (1/27/2012)
Hello radar, look down! This wine is amazing.
Nose of brambly blue and black fruits. Palate is dense and chewy, but chewy in a graceful way. This has an interesting quality of blue fruits with blackberries, plum pumice, framboise and Carmon. Balance is impeccable and tannins control the ride, but they are kind and thoughtful. All seems in place with the added bonus of depth and plushness. This is mountain fruit at its best; this really balances strength with grace. Finish is long and the fruit remains true. Acidity is just about where I want it. Grabbed these for a song last year, and well worth full fare if I hadn’t. (93 pts.)

Ross_W · January 28, 2012, 4:30pm

mike pobega:

2005 Piedra Hill Vineyard (W.H. Smith) Cabernet Sauvignon Purple Label - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (1/27/2012)
Hello radar, look down! This wine is amazing.
Nose of brambly blue and black fruits. Palate is dense and chewy, but chewy in a graceful way. This has an interesting quality of blue fruits with blackberries, plum pumice, framboise and Carmon. Balance is impeccable and tannins control the ride, but they are kind and thoughtful. All seems in place with the added bonus of depth and plushness. This is mountain fruit at its best; this really balances strength with grace. Finish is long and the fruit remains true. Acidity is just about where I want it. Grabbed these for a song last year, and well worth full fare if I hadn’t. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

The 04 was great, but have not had the 05. Agree with your comment about balance between grace and strength, that one of things I enjoyed about it. A really solid under the radar wine.