I have been visiting HALL for more than a decade it has become one of the go-to stops in Napa if you long for choice Cabernet. Katherine and Craig Hall acquired the historic St. Helena Bergfeld Winery in 2003 and re-opened as HALL St. Helena in July of that year. This winery’s location was previously home of the Napa Valley Co-Op, producing 40% of Napa Valley’s wines. In 2013, The Hall family completed the restoration of the 1885 Bergfeld Winery and merged history and innovation with the completion of California’s first LEED® Gold Certified winery and a really cool gravity flow winemaking facility. HALL has more than 500 acres of estate vineyards, primarily growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
I was absolutely blown away with the quality of winemaking in the past two Cabernet vintages at HALL. A recent visit to HALL was highly impressive, none more so than the 2013 HALL ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet (WWB, 97) which is one of the finest new world wines that I have sampled in the past year. This massive Cabernet is a memorable wine that will cellar for decades. Also impressive was the absolutely gorgeous 2013 HALL ‘Diamond Mountain’ Cabernet (WWB, 96), that showcased incredible balance and poise, yet packed an incredible rich fruit core. Look for these absolutely fantastic wine releases at http://www.hallwines.com Here are the great new releases from HALL.
2014 HALL ‘T Bar Ranch’ Sauvignon Blanc-The Sauvignon Blanc wine has 25% Viognier blended in. This wine starts with aromas of lemongrass, orange blossoms and Pink Lady apple. This leads to flavors reminiscent of starfruit, Meyer lemon oil, cantaloupe and Gala apple. Drink 2016-2022- 92
2013 WALT Gaps Crown Pinot Noir- This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, prune, cherry cola and coriander. There are flavors of cola, black cherry, pipe tobacco and black raspberry with a hint of nutmeg. Drink 2016-2025- 93
2013 WALT ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The wine begins with aromas of mushroom, forest floor, wild blackberry and red cherry. There are flavors of red cherry, cranberry, Shitake mushroom and orange rind. The Pinot has some gorgeous weight and texture. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2012 HALL ‘Coeur’ Cabernet- This starts with aromas of wild blackberry, nutmeg, pipe tobacco and creme de cassis. There are rich flavors of blackberry preserves, creme de cassis, anise and mocha. This wine needs time for the tannins to soften. Drink 2017-2035- 94
2012 HALL ‘Jacks Masterpiece’ Cabernet- The wine is barrel selected from the choicest mountain fruit. The wine starts with aromas of dill, mocha, anise and creme de cassis. There are flavors of mocha, anise, creme de cassis, Turkish coffee and blackberry preserves. The wine has some moderate tannins and is currently needing more than two years in the cellar to unwind. Drink 2018-2035- 95
2013 HALL ‘Diamond Mountain’ Cabernet- This wine begins with aromatics of anise, Turkish coffee, milk chocolate and cassis. There are flavors of creme de cassis, Turkish coffee, anise and wild blackberry pie. This is exceedingly good with its opulent fruit and rich texture. Drink 2018-2040- 96
2012 HALL ‘Bergfeld St. Helena’ Cabernet- This balanced and rich Cabernet begins with aromatics of dill, mocha, anise and creme de cassis. There are flavors of mocha, creme de cassis, anise and blackberry pie. Intense and outrageously good wine that will cellar beautifully for many years. Drink 2018-2040- 95
2013 HALL ‘1873’ Cabernet- This dense Cabernet wine begins with aromas of blackberry, milk chocolate and Christmas spice. This leads to flavors of Turkish coffee, anise, creme de cassis and blackberry cobbler. This is highly tannic and intense right now, with gorgeous fruit weight and complexity. Drink 2018-2040- 95
2012 HALL 'Ellie's Cabernet- The wine starts with aromatics of milk chocolate, anise, blackberry pie and spicebox. There are rich flavors of milk chocolate, red cherry, anise and pipe tobacco. Drink 2017-2035- 92
2013 HALL 'Howell Mountain' Cabernet- This absolutely fabulous and intense wine begins with hedonistic aromas of milk chocolate, anise, creme de cassis, and Turkish coffee. The wine has uber-rich flavors of anise, mocha, blueberry compote and creme de cassis. There is incredible poise and complexity to this Cabernet that all leads to the long and lingering finish. One for the cellar. Drink 2017-2040- 97