Moving to the two flagship releases, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec) is another inky hued release from this team and offers a thrilling nose of blueberries, black cherries, iron, cedar pencil, and bouquet garni. These carry to a full-bodied wine with beautiful mid-palate density, a soft, expansive texture, building tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Ranking with the top handful of wines in the vintage, it's going to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is laced with the essence of dark red/purplish berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and rose petal. Unctuous and deep, with striking balance and tons of allure, the Reserve is superb today. This is an especially rich, creamy style for Howell Mountain, but all the elements are very nicely woven together. Here, too, tannins are beautifully integrated. -- Antonio Galloni

(95+ points) A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve displays a deep garnet-purple color and notes of blackcurrant cordial, plum pudding, dried mulberries and mincemeat pie with touches of Indian spices, chargrill, dried Mediterranean herbs and charcoal. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of black fruit preserves flavors with an herbal lift and a grainy texture plus just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering smoked-meat note.- LPB

Lushly ripe, with açaí berry, boysenberry and plum compote notes rolling through, supported by hints of bramble, licorice snap and roasted apple wood, although the fruit easily absorbs them all. The long finish lets the fruit drip and drip, with well-embedded acidity giving it all the support it needs for balance. Great for the hedonist crowd. Best from 2023 through 2036. — J.M.