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. — 17 days ago

Diane M. Napolitano

9.7

From Chambers Street Wines. Dry Cherry Coke, some liquorice and vanilla peeking in ⛄️ — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Pretty nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, dark chocolates, light earth, coffee, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Grenache blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and interesting. Rich, yet elegant.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already very approachable. The high alcohol is well integrated.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Has good potential to become a 94 point wine.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise and 2% Vaccarese. Aged in (20% new) large French oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points

$100. — 22 days ago

Vino Joe

9.4

Crisp and very new world. Mild modern for Chardonnay. Apricot and hazelnut. Very good. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nice nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing red fruits with light oak, licorice and chocolate notes.

Nice length on the finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty 5 year old GSM blend from Lirac. Nicely balanced and elegant, with mild complexity. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Aged in concrete tanks and 15% large French oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$35. — 2 months 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 — a month ago

Taylor Brody

9.7

Transport me to France and let’s fucking go. — 16 days ago

JKT

9.0

Outstanding still after 13 years. Terrific Rhone profile with complexity and freshness still. — 2 months ago

Louis Martin

8.9

Nice blend, semi-sweet, hint of cherry, paired well with duck. — 5 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Caviar con andrea y benjamkn — 6 months ago