2012 Hightower Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Reserve
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Tasting notes
Bright medium ruby. Tight, cool aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice and espresso. Concentrated and tactile but bound-up, initially communicating a tart quality to the middle palate but gaining a bit in sweetness with aeration. Ultimately a bit fleshier and more pliant than the 2013, as here the Cabernet Sauvignon is accompanied by Merlot rather than Petit Verdot. Finishes with firm tannic spine and good thrust and length. A cooler and more backward style than the 2013, but with no shortage of intensity. And the acidity is more harmonious here. I'd like to see this again in two or three years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Possessing more minerality, with ample dark plum and blackberry fruit, the 2012 Red Mountain Reserve has the same sage and mint characteristic found in the Hightower Vineyard release. Made from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot that spent 20 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and nicely structured Cabernet that will have an easy 15 years of longevity. Despite the 100% new oak, the wood component here is nicely integrated, and this is a solid wine.