Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.

Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.

Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals, black & bing sour cherries, blackberries, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, whiffs of other baking spices, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals.

The body is round & full. The tannins just starting to hit a good point of softening and rounding, yet have 10 plus years ahead. The structure, tension are hitting their stride. The length and balance are just getting to near perfect form. Two years ago, this wine was not ready and is now at the place I was hoping to get. I have two bottles left and I will have another in five years. Based on that performance, another in three to five plus years more. It’s the evolution that is so much fun to follow.

Black & bing sour cherries, blackberries show more on the palate and the pork pasta bring them out more deeply, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract, cranberries and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, nuances of volcanic minerals, soft baking spices, dark medium intensity of spice, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals. The acidy is like a fresh water river. The long finish is unbelievably elegant, well balanced with a touch more fruit than earth, polished and persists seamlessly for several minutes.

I look forward to trying this wine again as it continues to evolve and improve over the next five to ten years...should be stunning! Well made Brunello’s simply take more than ten years in bottle to even begin to amaze.

Photos of, a wide hilltop shot of Casanuova, field hand harvesting their Sangiovese, large oak fermentation cask so there is less noticeable oak influence on the wine and their sloping vines on a sunny beautiful day.

@Oenotri Napa — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Celebrating a 10 year anniversary only happens once. Tonight is all about trying to recreate as much of our wedding day as possible. I cooked two pasta dishes the restaurant in Cortona made for us family style. While good, there’s no substitution for truly well done Italian cooking from the old world. What the restaurant did for our reception was truly amazing and done with wonderful Italian hospitality. Those of you that know my wine habits, I’m the guy who brings Bordeaux to an Italian wedding reception and that’s what I did. After all, It was our/my wedding. I brought an 1986 Haut Bages Liberal magnum with me from the U.S.. So in remembrance of our wedding reception, we are enjoying another magnum on our 10th anniversary tonight. I was concerned about finding another magnum in good drinking condition. However, this bottle 10 years further removed is better than the one we enjoyed at our wedding. In magnum and larger formats, I think it has another 5-10 years left of good drinking ahead...properly stored of course. On the nose; dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, stones, old tobacco leaf, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices and dark fresh floral bouquet. The body is somewhere between medium to full. The tannins are nicely resolved. Fruits are ripe, fresh and juicy 31 years down the road. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries & pomegranate extract. Black licorice, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, wet stones, dry top soil, old tobacco leaf, light expresso roast, softly understated asian spice, mint, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & a hint of nutmeg), violets and dark fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is round and like a waterfall over the palate. The finish is rich, ripe, balanced, well textured, elegant and lasts well over a minute. The quality of this magnum wildly exceeded our expectations. One would think this bottle was stored at a Chateau it’s entire life prior to my purchase. The alcohol comes in at 12.5%; which is one of the reasons I love the good years of 80’s Bordeaux and prior. Too bad alcohol levels are negatively impacted higher now and going forward due to climate change. Additionally in some cases, because of producer marketing decisions largely based on consumers who crave higher alcohol levels! Sofia, I am lucky to have found you to walk through life together. I love you now and forever. What a 10th celebration tonight and a celebration of our life together. All under a nearly full moon. Oooow, I ❤️ you! Photos from our 5th anniversary trip back to Cortona; the building we were married inside & out and one of the vistas surrounding (Cathedral) this beautiful hilltop town. — 8 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.2

I love this #syrah from #sbcountywines and #staritahills region. Totally agree that it's more northern #rhone in style. It comes from a hilltop vineyard at 1200 feet that receives the cool winds from the #pacificocean and you can feel it. Spice and complexity on the nose. Refreshing. — 9 years ago

Samantha Geary

9.0

Nice high acidity, rubard favor — 9 years ago

Ivan London

9.0

Dense

Critical Acclaim:
This no-herbicide, hand-picked, hilltop Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Petit Verdot blend is rich with attractive acidity and ripe strawberry fruits. Its tannins present a structure for fruity texture. A wine from Bordeaux wine guru Professor Denis Dubourdieu’s stable, it has concentration and a dense dark aftertaste. Drink from 2017.

88 Points
Wine Enthusiast
— 10 years ago

Ilya Genkin

9.5

Dark crimson colour with purple hues. Similar to Hilltop Shiraz but more complex and well distinguished spicy aromas. Lifted with pepper, cloves and anise. Dark cherries, plums and blackberries. Some earthy notes. Soft and well integrated tannins. Long finish. Outstanding! — 10 years ago

John Beasley

9.1

Classy Italian sauv blanc with lovely finish. Best if sipping at sunset on hilltop in Tuscany! — 11 years ago

with Adele, Ludi and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

This is why you come down to this region, the Pinot Noirs. They are Burgundian in style. Nice red and blue fruits with very gentle wood use and about 13% ABV. Quite enjoyable.

Photos of; the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, a bronze statue of Anthony’s father wearing Anthony’s hat. It was his father who founded Russell Hamilton back in 1975. He was also CEO of one of the largest US advertising agencies, JWT or J. Walter Thompson. Our tasting setup in the cellar and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

While this producer has nice fruit, a refined craft, they have an issue with alcohol burn in this bottling. While it’s 14.5% ABV, it’s showing hotter. You get an alcohol burn across your palate and in the back of the throat. They don’t mask or process their alcohol as well as a number of other even less revered producers. For the trained palate, alcohol burn will always be a critical flaw in wine.

It’s also still just approaching teenage years, even after roughly 13 years in bottle.

The nose reveals, alcohol vapors, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & boysenberries. Dark chocolate, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid with old lavender and dark withering flowers.

The body is full with big, round, tarry, sticky tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are still developing but, good. This wine still needs another 6-8 years and perhaps plus in bottle. Ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, boysenberries & creamy raspberries. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, dark medium spice, malt, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, leathery, underbrush, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid (brett) with old lavender and dark withering flowers. The acidity is ok but certainly needed to be better. Part of the reason the alcohol shows as hot as it does. The finish is still big, rich, a touch astringent, powdery/dusty, balanced and last minutes. However, leaves my palate feeling incomplete.

Time will improve this wine but, believe the alcohol burn remains. I’ve had many less revered producers, for less money that delivered more pleasure.

Photos of, hilltop view of their vineyards, cellar with wood & stainless vats, dining/tasting room and the winery building. — 6 years ago

Steven Lee

9.4

Balance and right level of acidity and minerality. Fine tannin and no sharp edges. Floral due to voigner? Fine wine from hilltop not alot of wine from — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.7

2012 CIRQ Estate Treehouse Pinot Noir. Michael Browne’s (of Kosta Browne) personal project which as I understand is an homage to the Summers he spent at a ‘Circus Camp’ in his youth. Treehouse is an amazing hilltop (stunning elevation) property in west Sonoma County with red, iron-rich soil surrounded by (say what?) coastal cypress trees. I had the pleasure of visiting, hosted by Damon Wong, and it's an amazing Vineyard. Unlike anything else I've ever seen. I can understand Michael's fascination with it. The wine: On the nose, red fruits, cedarbox, with notes of rhubarb and fennel. On the palate, pomegranate, kirsch, black tea, spices, roasted herbs along with hints of black truffles and white pepper. Beautiful texture. Lengthy finish. Classic expression of Pinot Noir. If I had to distinguish it from Kosta Browne from a flavor-perspective, I would say higher acidity and a bit of tannin give it a quality more accustom to Grand Cru Burgundy which is not bad company. I'm a fan. Congrats to Michael as well as his partner in this project, my friend Kenny Rochford, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. — 8 years ago

Gregory Knaps

9.2

2013. Hilltop vineyard planted in '99; 2,200 ft! And ten miles from ocean. Floral, herbal, extroverted fruit. Really good. — 9 years ago

Mike W

9.5

Lovely minerally Pinot Gris with undernotes of apricot.Had as aperitif and with grilled salmon — 9 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.4

This chateau is right across from dyquem.... Opposing hilltop but wow at 30 this was still a baby with gorgeous nectar and brown sugar notes. What An effort. — 9 years ago

Kai Wright

9.3

Italy’s hard. There are too damn many esoteric grapes and regions to sort out, and often sold at a premium. But for big, intense and fruit-forward wines, Brunello di Montalcino is worth the extra cash on a special ocassion. Montalcino is a hilltop village in Tuscany, Brunello is the local nickname for sangiovese grapes grown there. Rich, dark, supple fruit that’s well balanced with dusty cedar, pencil shavings and sweet spice. In a word, luscious. #laterwine — 10 years ago

Richard Fleming

9.2

This stuff, with the "with skin contact" sticker, is some seriously old-school deep orange business that I can easily imagine having squirted down my throat from a goatskin pouch while riding on the back of one of hannibal's elephants through the caucasus mountains. Rugged like some forgotten Overnoy experiment from a secret hilltop vineyard in the Jura. Not for pussies. — 10 years ago

John Rieber

9.0

A big bold Chardonnay in a beautiful hilltop winery — 11 years ago

Shala W Summey Iii

9.1

This is very good bargain in the $25 range. This and the J Lohr Hilltop are favorites in this price range. — 6 years ago

Amy l

9.2

I had this for the first time in Piedmont at a little cafe in a hilltop village. I had it again more recently, and it is still wonderful, even without the marvelous setting. Fine bubbles and freshness, but flavorful. One of my favorite sparkling wines. — 6 years ago

with Geoalfie77

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Beautiful, dark red, perfume fruits. Black currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, lots of blue fruits, expresso, anise, leather, some graphite, sweet dark moist soils, medium intensity volcanic minerals, limestone with blue and dark red floral bouquet.

The body is full. The tannins are round and nicely soften. The structure, length, tension and balance have hit harmony with plenty of life left ahead. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, loads of blue fruits, expresso roast, anise, dark chocolate, a little caramel, leather, some graphite, leather, dry tobacco, touch of dry herbs, sweet dark moist soils, medium intensity volcanic minerals, limestone and blue and dark red floral bouquet. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, very well balanced, elegant, polished and lasts minutes.

Photos of; The barn used for winemaking and to host tastings. The first harvested Cabernet grapes of the season, an old school basket press that decorates their grounds, Estate vines and a giant fan to dry the vines if needed amongst the hilltop mountains that surround the Estate. — 7 years ago

Paul Dugar

9.3

Translucent dark cherry red appearance. Cranberry and red berries on the nose. Cherry and cranberry on the palate with a mild earthiness. Would have to be one of the best pinots I’ve had! — 7 years ago

Jenny Cheng

9.4

A sunset chaser’s wine. Afternoon tea. Enjoyed on a hilltop in berkeley — 7 years ago

with Milo

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

California butter, oak, buttered popcorn, citrus, and white florals on the nose. Palate also shows the same buttery oaky notes, but not as strong as some CA Chardonnay's. However, the mouthfeel does show it did spend some extra time on lees as it's creamy. Palate of; Lemon/lime, grapefruit, green apple, the oak on the palate shows a softer presence, secondary fruits are tropicals with dominate green melon, white flowers with good acidity and nice freshness. Spent 7 months in hogshead barrels (300 liters). Photos show the d'Arenberg cube that stands on the high hilltop. Opens later this year. I must say it really doesn't fit well into the McLaren Vale natural landscape in the other photo. Wonder how they got the plans approved with the MV Council?💰💰 — 8 years ago

Christine Havens

9.0

Bluebird Hills Cellars is an ultra-boutique winery owned by my dear friends Sue and Neil Shay. I've watched them plant vines over the years expanding the blocks that surround their sprawling hilltop home, and more recently they've transformed their garage into a small tasting room. The 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot is bright ruby red, displaying a melange of black cherries, ripe raspberries, anise, and dried lavender. It's not an especially delicate Pinot—but it's also not over the top. 2015 was a warm vintage year in the Willamette Valley, and this wine seems to strike a nice balance with a singular vein of acidity that gives it persistence and length that suspends itself over the tongue. 13.4% ABV — 8 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.0

Just snagged this interesting zin @ VA Bch's Hilltop Taste (a blast from my past, this place having spawned from the late/great Peter Coe's Taste Unlimited). While I have had plenty of Oakville Winery's cabs, this is my first taste of their zins (crazy impressive as a bargain under $25 retail!). I catch cherry with a hint of cedar (likely new oak) off its nose (small bowled stemware and zero wait time, on my part). After a couple of nose hits and twirls, once in one's mouth she goes blueberry-centric touched by vanilla and a NC packhouse of yesteryear [where barn-hung and properly cured tobacco leaves (evil weed she is) were artfully, interestingly tied to demonstrate quality] cast against the well-oiled and better used leather of a McGregor infielder's glove (from my fadingly distant past).
The structure of this Zin compete's with the utility of that glove (going there now for a manuscript of a different flavor, thoughts of Spring, the girl behind the backstop and my timeless romance with yet another season). Buy this wine and give Taste, and "peace, a chance." Here's to the greater good coupled with the moment, cause "it's the time of the season when love runs high..." (vintage Zombies, something about which to think and a little mid-day zin) ✌🏻️🍷👣⚾️🕶🌀 — 9 years ago

Wendy Buckley

9.1

If you are ever in Paso Robles, you "need" to visit Roger and his beautiful Great Danes. By appt. only, but he is such a delight. Tasting is at his home on a hilltop on the West side of Paso.. This is a beautiful expression of Chardonnay! — 10 years ago

Emiliano Mei

9.1

Sweet white wine from #Hungary. #hárslevelü #grape #vintage 2008
Dry apricots, honey, still with a lovely freshness and acidity that makes it a pleasant glass to sip! — 10 years ago

Ron Nixon

8.9

This is actually from the Castoro "Blind Faith Vineyard". The extreme growing conditions of hilltop and steep terraces produce unique, intense flavors. Smooth fruit with unusual balance. Cherry and plum stood out slightly upon the open. Nice Syrah worth twice the price. — 10 years ago

Brian Koot

9.1

From Hungary, gift from Johanna. — 11 years ago