This latest vintage of Robert Craig’s mountain-born Cabernet is a bit tight today, with tannin still obscuring the fruit within. I’m not sure there’s going to be a lot of it to go around when it matures in another 3-4 years. Some blueberry, tea leaf, and rhubarb round out the plummy core. But it’s the distinct black pepper — especially heavy on the nose — that makes this wine particularly unique.

B+ / $80 / robertcraigwine.com

2009 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

$80

8.5

Rating

8.5/10

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