Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.8

Thats some great juice @Benoit Touquette wine.👍🏼
Winery notes

STORY

Benoit Touquette has continued to serve as winemaker since 2006.

The first vines the family planted were one acre of Bosche clone Cabernet Sauvignon grafted to budwood provided by Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards. The first few vintages were also made at Grace Family Vineyards, until the winery on the estate was completed, with Andy Erickson as winemaker. The winery's first release was an estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 1990, which sold out immediately, and with subsequent vintages, Hartwell established a reputation for fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over the years, other parcels of the property were planted, allowing the winery to produce other Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as Merlot, a red dessert wine, and a red wine blend. In 2006, the Hartwells purchased a 4.5-acre vineyard in Carneros from which they produce a Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc, and brought acclaimed winemaker Benoit Touquette on board to oversee production.


Hartwell Vineyards was founded in 1986 when Bob Hartwell purchased 90 acres of Wappo Hill—the half of Wappo Hill not owned by Robert Mondavi—in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.

The fruit for the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the highest point on the Hartwell estate, blocks 14 and 15, which were planted to Bosche clone 30 years ago. The 100% Cabernet wine ages for two years in T5 barriques, rare and prized barrels from famed French cooperage house, Taransaud. These barrels are toasted and crafted from five-year seasoned staves by coopers who have been awarded the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsman in France). Much like some of the finest wines, they are available only to a select list of customers due to their limited availability.

Each year, a mere 100 cases of Hartwell T5 are produced, available only by allocation to members of the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon wine club. — 5 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Very good and super dank. I would love to try this blind next to Melvin’s 2x4 as it tastes very similar — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.3

This is an excellent Other Half beer in terms of texture and flavor but the lactose is a little heavy for my taste. It doesn't have the balance of some of the others. But no complaints if you can find it! — 8 years ago

Nicholas Cothros

8.9

The type of star for which this beer gets its name is known for its small size and impressive density, much like the surprising flavours of orange and chamomile that explode out of this tiny can. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

On the nose; a bit of a brett bomb to start. Even after 11 years in the bottle, it needed a good 2 hour decant. Stewed fruits of; huckleberry, boysenberries, blueberries, plums, black raspberries, dark & liqueured cherries. Black raspberry cola, figs & dates, black & white pepper, touch of smoke & grilled meats, menthol, used leather, dry stems, dark minerals, loamy dry top soil, right amount of baking spices, lilacs & liquid violets. The body is full, round & lush. Tannins perfectly resolved. They still have a little baby teeth. The structure, length, tension and balance are near perfect. Stewed fruits of; huckleberry, boysenberries, blueberries, plums, black raspberries, dark liqueured cherries & strawberries haunting the palate here and there. Black raspberry cola, figs & dates, black & white pepper, a touch of smoke & grilled meats, menthol, used leather, dry stems, dark minerals, loamy dry top soil, right amount & mix of baking spices, lilacs, liquid violets & red florals. The acidity is perfect and acts like a waterfall over the palate. The fruit floral, lightly spiced finish goes on and on and on. Standish does not have a U.S. importer as his wines are small productions and he has no issues selling nearly all of them down under. You can order from his mailing list but, the shipping costs from Australia are stupid. Look for bottles on the secondary markets. You’ll be glad you did. If you have or had reservations about Australian wine or Shiraz vs. Syrah, Dan’s wines will end those thoughts. We tasted with Dan at his winery in April. He is extremely knowledgeable and a very talented Winemaker. He made Torbreck for years before starting his own winery. Photos of; his Estate, Dan and his low yield vines. His yield was an extremely low half ton per acre on this vintage. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Wednesday Wine Committee from this past week. A fantastic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind as usual.

I had this wine a year and a half ago...and I think it may be better now! Still hard for me to wrap my head around Hundred Acre tasting and aging like this. Brilliant bright ruby in the glass. Soft cherries, sweet ripe black cherries, sandalwood, nutmeg and added baking spices. Very balanced and elegant on the palate...cherries jubilee and liqueur, sweet kirsch and licorice. Drinking beautifully! I was between old Napa cab and Italian merlot. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Peter van den Besselaar

9.5

Vintage 2013 / a wine drinkers beer! Awesome taste. In honour of Belgium. Half final Worldchampionship Football. — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.2

Greenish color for supporting Mexico in this morning's World Cup fixture. Ok a Mexican beer would have been more appropriate but I know what I prefer. — 8 years ago

James Brenner

9.2

Super bowl beer. 🏈 — 8 years ago

Joseph Gannon

9.5

Looks like grapefruit juice, tastes like an IPA mixed with something else, a really interesting and delicious beer — 9 years ago

David Kline

8.9

Aromas evoke pineapple, tangerine, mango, almond blossom and sweet vanillin. Creamy, with a grainy finish. Iron, bamboo, grapefruit, tangerine pith, carnation, apple blossom and oregano. Has the mouthfeel of a beer twice it's price, enough complexity to keep you sipping, and just the right price: half a buck on a very good day! #reefdonkey #tampabaybrewingcompany #apa #pounder #beer #flabeer — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Mark Flesher

9.4

This is Cobra Dawn of the Dank. Last of the four and I hate to admit is the winner over the Dogfish! Poured a hazy DANK amber color into the glass. Nose of citrus and melon, almost kind of smelled like a torqued up Hefeweizen. Great hop structure. Finished really well. Almost as well as a Stone beer. But not quite! LOL, this was still a ridiculously good beer. Great way to start the weekend! — 9 years ago

James Ellis

9.0

Half arsed pirate! Full assed beer! — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.2

Small Green Everything from Other Half is such a good, light hazy IPA. A session beer that demands a session. — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.2

Superb session beer at 4.7%, great freshness and a fruity finish. — 8 years ago

Evan Bienstock

10

Not Mylar Bags (although that’s a fav). Other Half is putting out amazing beer in Brooklyn. Happy Mother Day All! — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.5

I tend to like Other Half's lower alcohol wines for their balance. Despite being 8.5%, this one achieves roundness and seamlessness. A terrific beer. — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

10

I think this is probably the best beer I've ever had. It is made in the New England IPA style, namely juicy and cloudy. Perfectly balanced, the Oh... from Other Half is extraordinary. — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.1

Just when I thought I was too much of a stick in the mud to like a new beer, this saison rescued me. Very bright, fresh and just hoppy enough- a very good drink. — 9 years ago

Dan Bruton

9.5

A succulent drop on a Sunday afternoon. The oaky, rustic flavours are a combination of last night's residual beer taste on the pallet paired with a touch of ripeness resulting from the half screwed on cap on the 2week old bottle. — 9 years ago

with Ruby and Mark