Opaque ruby-purple, the 2021 Zinfandel Cedarman has broody aromas of dark briary fruit with touches of menthol, graphite and earth. The full-bodied palate is coiled and concentrated at this stage, although it has a harmonious structure and nuanced finish that suggests it will unwind gracefully in bottle over the next decade.

Deep ruby, the 2019 Zinfandel Cedarman has dense aromas of blackberries, licorice, dried violets and earth, gaining more nuance with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied and deeply fruited, with a firm and fresh frame and long, layered finish. It's gorgeous and will have more to show with time in bottle. 970 cases produced.

The 2017 Zinfandel Cedarman is a blend of fruit from the Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon vineyards and contains about 18% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black in color, it has a very dark, broody nose with dried violets, wild blackberries and briary fruits plus turned earth and nutmeg spice hints. Full-bodied, big and rich in the mouth with tons of lush black fruits and spicy layers, it's framed by very firm, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness to lift the warm, spice-laced finish. 1,200 cases produced.

The 2016 Zinfandel Cedarman Vineyard (which contains around 20% Petite Sirah) reveals a pure, fruit-driven bouquet of ripe cherries and cassis. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and chunky, with a fleshy core of fruit that only partially conceals the firm, chewy mountain tannins that assert themselves on the long finish.

Another Howell Mountain cuvée, the 2014 Zinfandel Cedarman (15.65% alcohol) is broodingly dark, with rich, briary blackberry and blueberry fruit, full-bodied opulence, not the riveting complexity of the Rattlesnake Ridge, but still impressive, multilayered, pure and ripe. It contains a small amount of Petite Syrah. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.