Piña Howell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2001

At age 10, it is now fully mature--although hardly over the hill--and drinking splendidly. Deep purple-ruby despite having thrown a substantial amount of heavy sediment (decanting is a must, say 45 minutes before drinking). Big nose that evolved with time to breathe from slightly vegetal to rich fruits, herbs, and leather. Flavor associations that sprang to mind included cassis, blackberry, and tobacco, plus an intense herbal note I can't quite identify. Tannic finish suggests it will age quite a while yet. Sadly, however, this was my last bottle. Time to look for it auction. Grade: A-/A