One of the most consistent Napa wineries producing Cabernet is Hall. It is remarkable how the Halls were able to purchase property so near Robert Mondavi Winery. They are literally just down the road from one of the most famous vineyards for Cabernet in the world, the To Kalon vineyard at Mondavi. In 2005, Craig and Kathryn Hall unveiled a state-of-the-art winery amid the legendary Sacrashe Vineyard in the hills of Rutherford that is dedicated to making single vineyard and limited-production wines. They have a stunning property and tasting room. The Halls acquired the historic Bergfeld winery in St. Helena in 2003, and have created a remarkable product since that time.
Some of their wines have achieved 95 plus scores from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthuiast. They’ve even in the top 5 wines in the world from Wine Spectator for their famed Katheryn Hall Cabernet. Hall has 500 acres that showcases Bordeaux varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Their T-Bar Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc consistently is one of the best in Napa. While these wines are far from cheap (especially the 100 plus dollar Kathryn Hall Cabernet), they are consistently good, even in relatively poor vintages. Case in point was their 2011 Cabernet, which was intense and rich, considering the lack of heat during the 2011 vintage in Napa. Their effort is a true testament to some very fine winemaking. I was also particularly intrigued by their effort in making Syrah. Their product, the 2010 Darwin, had great terroir with smoked meat and blackberry flavors. It was delicious. Here are some of the great wines that I was able to sample at Hall Winery in Napa last weekend. ‪#‎hallwinery‬
2013 T Bar Sauvignon Blanc- Grassy nose with jalapeños and lemongrass. Palate has minerals, lemon curd, pear and cut grass. Delicious. -91
2010 Darwin- 100 percent Syrah. Napa valley style. Smoked meats and tar and blackberry on the nose. Palate has incredible depth. Black cherry, black olive and blackberry with anise. Delicious juice. Drink now. -93
2012 Walt PinPoint Exteeme Pinot Noir- Nose has rose petals, rapsberry, and dried herbs and red cherry. Palate has red cherry, cherry pie, vanilla and Christmas spice. Drink now. -92
2011 Hall Cabernet- Intoxicating nose of creme de cassis, smoke, red bell pepper. Palate has black cherry, anise, spice box, and moderately tannic. Delicious now but would improve in 2 years. -92
2012 Hall Cabernet- Powerful nose with blackberry, oak and red cherry. Palate has strong minerality. Fruit hasn't integrated yet. Very tight with blackberry and cassis. Needs 2 plus years. -90
2011 T-Bar Alexander Valley Cabernet- Earthy nose with mushroom, forest floor, oak and anise. Palate has red cherry, minerals, raspberry and blackberry. Delicious but fruit needs 2 plus years to integrate. -91
2011 Jack's Masterpiece Cabernet- Atlas Peak fruit. Herbaceous nose with red bell pepper, smoke and creme de cassis. Palate has red cherry, raspberry, cassis and black olive. Delicious. Drinking good now but can benefit from 2 years. -93
2011 Katherine Hall Cabernet- 100 percent Cabernet, always predominantly from the Sacrashe Vineyard. Creme de cassis, black olive, black cherry and dried herbs. Palate has creme de casis, black olive, black cherry, mocha and dried herbs with vibrant minerality. A monster. Drink in 2 years. -95