Far Ago Hill Wines

Jemrose

Cardiac Hill Vineyard Syrah 2010

Ming L
9.0

Tasted this about a year ago. This second bottle does not have the wow factor like the first one. The nose is less fragrant and more meaty, and the palate a bit more herbal and angular, which is probably true to the varietal. Still a very complex wine. Have 1 bottle left and hopefully I can keep my hands off for another 2-3 years.
250 cases, and I believe the wine maker for the vintage is Bevan. Bennett Valley is the smallest, and probably the least known Sonoma sub AVA.
— 4 years ago

Severn, Daniel P. and 3 others liked this

M. Chapoutier

Les Varonniers Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2009

Animally, meaty, dark, smokey and brooding - on the nose at least. Opened up after an hour’s decant and was far more rounded on the second night. Has that classic piercing Syrah quality that seems to swamp one’s airways - and plenty of barnyard funk for some time after opening.

On the palate it’s quite mellow, enveloping, beautifully rounded, medium bodied, with just enough acidity and tannin to give it life. I’d love to have tried this five years ago when I feel like it would have had the power to better impersonate a Hermitage. But, no doubt, it’s superb now.

Interestingly (to me!) I actually found this quite hard to distinguish between a decent Rioja. It is very similar in many ways to La Rioja Alta’s Viña Ardanza. Both in the fruit and the presence / quality of oak. The only difference lying perhaps in richness and depth of fruit.

Overall, a beauty of a wine - one of the appellation’s finest.
— 5 years ago

Ira and Keith liked this

Pulido-Walker

Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

WOTN!! Melanson Vineyard on Pritchard Hill - similar to the TOR Melanson from a few weeks ago - it was outstanding!! — 6 years ago

Amit SrivastavaNorman
with Amit and Norman
Amit, David and 10 others liked this
Norman

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WOTN despite people changing their minds the next day. Where are the scotch finishes??? Or punishers 😂

Jasper Hill

Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 2006

Dark ruby in color with a cloudy brick rim.

On the nose, currants, plums, light wood, vanilla, spices, wet leaves, forest floor, pencil lead, vinaigrette, leather and peppercorn.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, oak, red currants, vanilla, licorice, earth, eucalyptus, vinaigrette, leather, dark chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This is a very nice aged Shiraz from Australia. Not fully balanced anymore, but showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Showing a nice tangy ending, which would pair well with food.

Interesting and enjoyable, although this was probably better a couple of years ago.

Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.

Thank you, Scott for sharing.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

15% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$75.
— 6 years ago

Casey, Mike and 18 others liked this

Domaine Isabel Ferrando

Colombis Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2007

C R
9.7

What a wine! Last time I had this was 4 + years ago, and the wine has evolved beautifully. By far the best example of this Colombis 2007 I’ve had, it combines great strength with finesse, first aromatics of wild berries with some secondary notes of sous-bois and truffle. Grand. — 7 years ago

Chris liked this

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Had a mag of this 2004 a few months ago, finally found a .750 at a reasonable price, just as great as the mag.
Time to hunt for some more
— 7 years ago

Jason, Rob and 40 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Found this one for $140.00 in NJ, well worth the $30.00 shipping,
Give it 30 min to blow off the bottle age & it just keeps getting better, my mag was still improving after 2 hours. Its on my list of wines I check Wine-Searcher weekly for, along with
05 Shafer
05 Vineyard 29 cab & CF
07 opus
06 Hobbs BTK.
Eric

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Awesome
Martin G Rivard

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Stellar list!!

Petaluma

Hanlin Hill Riesling 2011

One of the pleasures in life is having a 10 year old Clare Valley Riesling. Had the last one a year ago in August 2020. This time some kerosene notes creeping in with the peachy notes. Honeyed nuances on the palate. Delicious. Diminished acid but could be kept for a few more years. A little chalky minerality. I think I have one left. — 4 years ago

Daniel, Rob and 18 others liked this

Palari

Faro Nerello Blend 1998

another long haul surprise found in the back of the fridge....cola sap tar and here and there a bit of bright cherry comes through....perhaps over the hill but only slightly and still a unique pleasure like it was 20 years ago at the babbo bar... — 5 years ago

Jess Paley
with Jess
Josh liked this

Trinity Hill

Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2017

2017 a far better wine then the last batch of Trinity Hill Tempranillo I purchased which collapsed into sour plum jam this had body but some delicate dancing note — 6 years ago

Stuart, Ron and 16 others liked this

Goaty Hill

Tasmania Pinot Noir 2010

What a pretty lovely medium-light bodied Pinot. Really in its drinking window. Perfect mid week sharing with my beloved wife. Especially as we bought it together at the winery around 7 years ago. — 6 years ago

Clemens Hill Vineyard

Cellar Release Pinot Noir 2015

This is just the Pinot Noir but that choice not available from Delectable. Quite dense in colour. Notes of beetroot and rhubarb on nose and palate. Full lush and delicious. A great discovery from the annual Tasmanian Pinot expo at the Pinot Shop in Launceston which we visited a few months ago. Exceptional QPR at $35. Some savoury aspects - suspect a % of whole bunch. Soft and flavoursome from a good vintage. Similar notes to a 2nd bottle 171 weeks later on 2/2/22. Quite a rich Pinot and thoroughly delicious. Luckily I have 4 left. — 7 years ago

Bill, Aaron and 8 others liked this

Phillips Hill

Valley Foothills Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2016

I so rarely encounter a great Gewürztraminer from outside Alsace, and when I do, it’s most likely from the Anderson Valley. This Phillips Hill bottling is no exception. Striking in its aromatic intensity - dried ginger, rose water, thyme, pine sap, crushed stones, and white pepper - the wine is vinified nearly bone dry, resulting in a taut, lean structure that moves with spritely dynamism. The floral and spice tones meet fruitier flavors on the palate - white peach and lemon soda. A far cry from the California Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs that dominate the Golden State’s white wine scene. — 7 years ago

Stacy WiatrakMitchell Wiatrak
with Stacy and Mitchell
Hugh, Kimberly and 9 others liked this

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Wow, what a wine! Best of 2018 for us so far. Pop and pour. Lovely garnet color. Gorgeous nose of dark cherry and plum, mocha, tobacco and graphite. At first there was an overt cinnamon and vanilla oak scent, too, but that dissipated within an hour. Palate was silky smooth and elegant and perfectly balanced. For a nearly 10 year old wine this was still lively, broad, and deep. Tannins had subsided a bit but provided great grip and balanced well with the remaining acidity. Classy wine and that really blew us away. Recommend an hour or two of decanting for this. — 8 years ago

Brian, Eric and 1 other liked this
Antonio Galloni

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Still remember tasting the 2008 the first time! Feels like yesterday!
David L

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Great bottle. If you get a chance to try any of the Robert Pepi Wines from the mid 80’s . Yes I said mid 80’s ... all hill side just before replanting. Great stuff! Still going strong today.
David L

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Pepi VHR

Forest Hill Vineyard

Chardonnay 2008

See previous tasting note from 43 weeks ago. This is an excellent aged Chardonnay from Great Southern in WA, an area better known for excellent Riesling and Shiraz. This had remnants of toasty oak, stone fruit and a little leesy funk. Drinking really well. — 4 years ago

Severn, Ray and 17 others liked this

Bell Hill Vineyards

Canterbury Pinot Noir 2011

Treats from a far away land are always appreciated in my dojo. — 4 years ago

Matt, David and 2 others liked this

Chappellet

Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Parker/ lisa 💯
97 for now, give it another 5-10 years to open up. Typical Pritchard Hill.
Had my first 2012 four years ago, nice to see the improvement.
2 bottles left
— 6 years ago

Paul, Anna and 29 others liked this
Mike R

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Nice pull

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Alicante Monastrell 2016

I tried the 13 vintage a couple of years ago. This one is just as smooth. A full, ripe, and fruit forward wine. I like it. — 6 years ago

Chalk Hill

Estate Bottled Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2015

Purchased not long ago by Bill Foley of Foley Family Wines, who will continue traditions that Fred Furth began in 1972. 2015 was a perfect year for Chard. Aromas of tropical fruits, spice and citrus. On the palate melon & apricot, tad creamy with some citrus zest and toasty oak notes. Smooth and lingering, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit and spicy oak. A Fav! Good value! — 7 years ago

Velma, Daniel P. and 1 other liked this

Chalk Hill

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016

Went to a tasting and they were featuring Chalk Hill, winery now owned by Bill Foley, of Foley Family Wines, who continues the traditions that Fred Furth, who founded CH in 1972. Had this ‘16 about a year ago. Rich deep straw color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits and citrus notes. On the palate ripe apple, sweet melon and lemon flavors with gentle vanilla toasty oak. Well balanced on lingering finish ending with oak and mineral notes. Aged well. Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

Velma and Daniel P. liked this

Kazmer and Blaise

Primo's Hill Pinot Noir 2010

Coravined. Fresh fruit. Coravined from 1.5 years ago. Like I just opened it. — 7 years ago

Judy Williams
with Judy
Judy, Riddley and 2 others liked this