Austin Blackwell

9.2

Pure black cherry fruit complemented by earth and forest floor. A medium plus palate with great roundness without excessive richness at 13.5% ABV. This is a cooler climate site and definitely a favorite of mine. — 2 months ago

with Angelina

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Medium lemon color with aromas of fresh ripe stone fruits and floral notes. On the palate fresh fruit flavors of apple, peach, citrus and pineapple with honey and savory toasty oak tones. Long finish ends with tangy citrus, biscuit and mineral notes. Nice! — 5 months ago

Mark

9.4

Dark dark ruby color, very intense. Great yeast nose with crisp berry fruit flavor. The tannins are well balanced and enjoyable. Paired it with a marinated ribeye and baked potato. — 7 months ago

with Jeron and Jessica

Eric Urbani

8.9

Waiting for it to open before rating — 10 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

Dried rose and sage aromas and strawberry and pomegranate flavor — 2 years ago

with Angelina

Rufus King

9.0

Well crafted Paso Robles Merlot served with lamb chops at The Capital Grille in Boston — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blackberry, plum, violets, vanilla and baking spices. Delicious red and black fruit on the palate with a black tea finish. Paired nicely with some steaks and baked potatoes. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Visual tells you that this is a mature example. Nose presents olives peaches. Palate is all about macerated olives and briny notes. Nice delicate nutmeg and roasted nut notes combine with ripe white fruits and moderate sweetness. I love the Hudson vineyard so wanted to take a look at this. We got to this a little too late, but it’s still excellent. Its pedigree shines thru. — 4 months ago

with Anne-marie

Ken Venezio

9.4

Big nose, big Cab. Loads of mountain terroir, blackberry, cassis, cola and a fair amount of spice. In a good way, this is heavily oaked. Not sure if Im up against its peak, but this still has elegant tannins and a nice long spicy finish. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — 8 months ago

Matt Forester

9.2

Very cherry. Good. — a year ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Mix of dark raspberry with hint of strawberry on the nose. Bit is sweetness and slight vanilla. — 2 years ago

Martin Sher

9.4

Bright and punchy fruit, with plenty of acid and tannin to coast into a second day. Very Hall. — 4 years ago

Ashish Upadhyay

9.2

Awesome Cab — 5 years ago

with Shruti

Laith A

9.1

Great with charcuterie for lunch today! Nice flavors of citrus, not too buttery or oaky .. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

At one time, this area was know as a moonshiner site, subsequently planted by Charlie Chenoweth with Pinot Noir. Medium Ruby color with aromas of dark berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, herb and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe strawberry and cherry, espresso, vanilla and herb tea spice, well balanced with acidity. Fine tannins on a long finish ending with cedar, baking spices and earthy character. Very nice! — 5 months ago

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

Joe Lyons

9.2

Strawberries, ripe raspberries, pepper, earth tones… really good glad I have a few more bottles! — 3 years ago

with Michelle

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Not sure what the fuss is about. — 4 years ago

with Ryan

Marc Melser

9.2

We had the 2013 Vintage on 7/25/20. A well balanced, fruit forward, full bodied wine. Tastes of blackberry and blueberry. More akin to the Napa floor as opposed to Stags Leap. — 5 years ago