Somm David T

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. — 6 months ago

Portia Apple

9.4

Delicious gamay! I only wish it were a little less sweet — 4 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.0

Acidic, big and substantial. The fruit is tangy. — 4 years ago

with Gillian

Ron Siegel

9.1

Fully mature with lots of rich, sappy dark fruits with good spice. Like my prior notes not overly complex but enjoyable now. — 5 years ago

Robert Mackie

9.8

Sensational drop! Thanks Jono for the recommendation! We are celebrating our 45th! — 6 years ago

Daron Watson

9.3

aromas of luxardo cherry, damson plum, licorice, peonies, thyme, flat leaf parsley, bluestone…and chargrilled quail! a pop of juicy fruits w lively acids and dissolving rich tannins…SO MUCH YUM 🍷😋🤘#BoJo — 7 months ago

Nick MR

9.0

2019 vintage, enjoyed with lamb and a goats gnocchi
Bought 4 bottles from Yapp. — 2 years ago

Katie

9.2

10/19 Tonia “business dinner” with Lincoln — 3 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Pure fruit- strawberry/cherry, some dusty tannins and a hint of smokiness makes this quite nice. — 4 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.2

Slow oxed for two hours the wine both aromaticslly and on the mouth is somewhat monochromatic. Nevertheless it combines good balance and elegance and went well with dinner — 4 years ago

Carolina Guizar

9.5

Brioche, caramel, smooth finish — 5 years ago

with A

Nicola Morvillo

9.2

On 26-7-20 — 5 years ago

Amanda Wadeson

9.0

Stone fruit, slightly sweet, drank with super squad brunch. Brought back from Oregon — 6 years ago

Cary Jones

9.4

As with most Rutherford,Napa wines, this is as smooth as silk with a balanced flavor. Perfect for any occasion. — 8 months ago

Mike Evans

9.1

Still showing a lot of tannic and acidic structure, but enough fruit to keep it in check once it had a few hours of air, youthful still, and brawny. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. Obvs super youthful and that translates here to a large, super fresh lime component. Better than good mineral presence. The crisper side of Meursault. — 3 years ago

DomDoc

9.4

Favorite Morlet Pinot Noir from our recent tasting. Delicately balanced 2014 Pinot that has years to mature. Great nose. The fruit is a bit tart cherry and base of blue fruit like blackberry and cassis. No complexity has developed yet but I’ll come back in 2-3 years and expect the subtlety to emerge. — 4 years ago

Ron R

8.9

Tasting at Domaine Serene. First white pinot I’ve tasted, and it’s nice. Needs food. — 4 years ago

with Andrew

Ming L

9.3

A charming left bank blend with a high percentage of CF for 15’. Blueberry, cassis, espresso, dried herbs, and lavender. Hint of crushed rocks too. Medium to full body. A harmonious palate with round gentle acidity, lush texture, and grainy yet polished firm elegant tannins. Lingering lightly candied finish.
Finesse and classy, yet so approachable. — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Secondary notes coming through with a whiff of sherry then lemon, some sweetness. There’s lovely balance and complexity in the mid palate and a sophisticated finish. A good time to drink this. — 6 years ago

with Paul, Bex and 1 other