Hall Wines

Coeur Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I only own a few Hall wines. But I find the amount of wine(s) they produce while maintaining high quality, especially in their higher end wines…fascinating as I commented on @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego post a number of weeks ago. I generally taste them younger vs cellared. So, when I saw this lower spectrum Hall Cabernet on the secondary market, I bought it because it’s a 2013 and only $35. I couldn’t pass it up as 2013 is a grand vintage and most of what I taste from Hall is upon release.

I corvined this last weekend and unsure how that fact affects opening it tonight. You could make a case for 92 here, but I won’t based on the fact it is a week coravined.

The nose shows a core of dark currants. Ripe, lush and a bit jammy; blackberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, plum, boysenberries, baked strawberries, raspberry hues with shades of blueberries. Melted dark chocolate, fudge, dark spice, anise to black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry tobacco, old leather, hints of dry herbs, dry crushed rocks, limestone, dry top soil, hints of moist clay, cedar to sandalwood, touch of peppercorn, fresh & withering; dark, red flowers framed in lavender & violets.

The palate is smooth, round, lush & elegant. The M+ tannins nicely rounded & velvety. Somewhat softer but still big at this stage of evolution compared to most 13’s I’ve had to date. Coravining might have helped. Nearly identical twins the nose & the palate. There’s core of dark currants. Ripe, lush and just a touch jammy; blackberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, plum, baked strawberries, raspberry hues with shades of blueberries. The fruits perhaps picked a little late-slightly overripe…a deliberate decision or lack of timely harvesters. Melted dark chocolate, fudge/pudding, caramel, dark spice w/ medium heat, anise to black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry tobacco, old leather, stronger dry herbs-bay leaf/sage than the nose, dry crushed rocks, limestone, dry riverbed stones, dry top soil, hints of moist clay, softer cedar notes that transition into sandalwood, graphite, touch of peppercorn, fresh & withering; dark, red flowers framed in lavender & violets, very pleasant, round acidity with a well balanced, nicely structured/tensioned, elegant, lush, smartly polished finish that lands on soften earth, spice, herbs and lasts 90 seconds.

Despite its minor flaws, delicious and as it opens, settles in, there is a strong case for a 92.

Photos of; Hall’s huge tasting patio in Rutherford, Rutherford estate vineyard, barrel room and cellar where they hold some fabulous events in a grand environment. They have two locations, Rutherford & St. Helena. — 23 days ago

Shay, Paul and 13 others liked this

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Thanks for the shout out. They do make a remarkable amount of beyond solid wines. I don't see all that many offerings down here in San Diego but do see different ones brought in from mailing list/wine club members and they generally rock like peak Deep Purple, Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin.

Norman

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego takes the erudite and makes it understandable to the masses in one analogy. Gold.

Vilmart & Cie

Coeur de Cuvée Grand Cellier Champagne Blend

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Caviar con andrea y benjamkn — 7 months ago

Rob, Juan and 1 other liked this

Domaine de la Tour du Bon

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2018

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2018 vintage. Last tasted 8.26.22 (9.3) and 7.21.21 (9.3). Medium/medium-heavy body. Slightly less end palate lift than last two encounters and tasting like it is in that proverbial "state of confusion...er...transition." Would like to taste again and will give it 3-4 years before revisiting to do this justice. Pretty unified now without side projects and ancillary rabbit holes but something tells me this has another third act of mayhem and debauchery up its' sleeve. 07.09.25. — 4 days ago

Andrew, Ted and 14 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Mon Coeur Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2012

JKT

9.0

Outstanding still after 13 years. Terrific Rhone profile with complexity and freshness still. — 2 months ago

Ira liked this

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2023

Adam Gäfvert

9.1

If only this was available for a few € less it would be a perfect house chard for me. Very solid. — 4 months ago

Ron and Andrew liked this

Jim Clendenen

Estate Bottled Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Pinot Noir 2015

Ericsson

9.4

This isn’t your average Pinot Noir. No, this is the kind of wine that slinks into the room with quiet confidence, drops a sharp one-liner, and makes you question everything you thought you knew about wine. Unpretentious but impeccably crafted, with just the right amount of attitude. On the palate, the fruit—cherries, raspberries, and plums—is vibrant, alive, like it’s been plucked at the peak of its existence. But then comes the earth: a bit of cedar, a dash of spice, and that elusive minerality that makes you wonder if you’re drinking wine or walking through a misty vineyard at dawn.

The acidity? Razor-sharp but not overwhelming. It’s like the sarcastic friend who keeps you grounded. The tannins are there, smooth and silky.

And the finish? Long. Real long. Like the kind of story you hope never ends, full of fruit, spice, and a faint echo of oak. — 6 months ago

Jan, Paul and 10 others liked this