Rick Phillips

9.6

After 35 years I was not expecting much. Especially when the cork disintegrated on opening. Aureated on decanting and was happily surprised. After about 20 minutes opened to dark chocolate, leather but so smooth. The last glass was pure delight. Howell Mountain at its best! — 5 months ago

with Letha

Aylin Ulku

9.7

Spectacular We have stored this for 11 years and enjoyed it for our 5th anniversary, paired with lamb shank and lamb chops. opens beautifully perfect time to drink. Initially the finish had notes of leather, hint of dark fried fruit. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

10

Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of dark fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs and spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and blackberry, pepper, tobacco, leather and earthy cacao. Fine savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding! — 8 months ago

Patrick Devine

9.2

Great for dessert, chocolate. Somewhat sweet. — 6 years ago

Tricia

9.0

Very rich with flavor. More flavor then the regular red ménage a trois. Both are great! — 7 years ago

Alyssa Voorheis

9.0

Pairs well with Netflix and a blanket — 10 years ago

Mandy Capehart

9.1

Excellent stand alone red! — 11 years ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Medium-dark-red color, very little browning at rim, this shows a little of the “overripe” notes I’ve found in 1990 Bordeaux (and CdPs), nice concentration and depth, long finish, the ripeness carries into the finish and detracts just a little. — 5 months ago

with Jim

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Big fruit forward Napa cab. Ripe dark fruit, on the edge of overpowering. Tannins are rounded and quite soft. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Dark fruit. Sweet edges. Great fruit given the age. Oak softened. Very good — 8 months ago

with BOT, Jean-Francois and 2 others

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Dark reddish tawny. Mostly translucent. Amazing nose. Powerful. A spectrum of notes including red fruit, cola, pencil lead, black truffles, coffee, blood sausage and some dry dark soil. Animalistic. Massive fruit and structure with a long finish. Someone says "honey ham" as a note in the nose and we all agree (first ever note involving the word "ham"). This was a wine where everyone's score or appreciation greatly improved over the evening. A best ever Unico for me. (M's 60th bday 4th of 14) — 4 years ago

Paul K

9.6

We rated this 9.4 last night after opening up for two hours. Could have been a pinch generous. Had 1.5 glasses left, corked, and finished off this afternoon. What a treat. The earthy raspberry smoothed to dark cherry -graphite. Amazing. Shame on us for judging this young wine so quickly. Changing to 9.6. :) — 8 years ago

Nate Keats

9.1

Full bodied, dark, and smooth. Semi-fruity with subtle tannins. Very drinkable. — 10 years ago

Peter Risi

9.2

Surprisingly good blend that is dark & full of flavor. — 11 years ago

Ming L

9.3

Quite approachable at this young age. 30 minutes decant and it’s open for business. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, cocoa, and lightly roasted nuts. The depth of flavors and elegant medium to full body show the pedigree. If blinded, I would not be able to tell this is a Sangiovese dominant blend. Would prefer a bit more acidity. But who am I to complain. — 5 months ago

Ming L

9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 5 months ago

Michael Phillips

9.3

Somewhat disappointing for a great producer in a great year. Medium body medium color, dark fruit hint of tobacco.
Hopefully a few more years will improve this wine. — 3 years ago

Nedas Ka

10

Ritch oily smoothness😉 — 6 years ago

Marc vanholst

9.9

Not too much to say....power in a silky glove...close to perfection. — 7 years ago

David L

9.5

07' Ornellaia Bolgheri ( Bordeaux blend). Predominately Cabernet. I'm also guessing it's mostly all new oak. Slightly tannic & a little heavy on the oak. That absolutely subsides with a decent decanting . Must decant, so the fruit can move forward in the wine. Layers of elegant & beautiful black fruit, with hints of tobacco & dark chocolate. It just lays on the back of your palate for 30+ seconds. A little more patience/time?? I would love to try this again in 3-5 years. Recommend highly!

I've got to get some more of the great vintages of this! My better half..."We need to get some of this" 😉 — 9 years ago