As I sat across from HALL president Mike Reynolds, we had our typical chat about their new lineup, although this time it was over Zoom rather than in person. Tasting through his new wines from the 2017 vintage, I was struck by several things that he had to say. “The biggest thing I remember was less about the harvest and more about just making sure everyone was OK. Our house was threatened in the first three nights and then the fire was about a quarter mile from our house. All sorts of chaos ensued, power outages and the list is long about the excitement.” The fires of Napa in 2017 produced an obviously lasting effect for wineries, not only fearing that they would lose their wineries but they also faced some threats from smoke taint. “We did not make an Atlas Peak or Mount Veeder wine in 2017 because of smoke taint” said Mike. However, he had very strong feelings about 2017 as a vintage — in his mind being particularly great for Cabernet Sauvignon. “I think 2017 was a great vintage. 2014 and 2016 vintages were softer whereas 2013 and 2015 as well as 2017 are more dense expression of Cabernet.”
As I tasted through these wines, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the overall lineup. I have tasted many Napa red wines from 2017 already and the new HALL releases are as good as anything that I have sampled. Those who follow me know how seldom I give 100 point scores. So far this year I have only awarded two 100 point scores to wines I have reviewed — the first being 2005 Chateau D’Yquem Sauternes and the second now goes to the 2017 HALL ‘Sacrashe Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 100) which is a scintillating joyride from start to finish with some massive aging potential. Once again HALL has crafted a stunning ‘Kathryn Hall’ bottling and their 2017 HALL ‘Kathryn Hall’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) is a crazy good elegant and seamless wine that will cellar well for decades to come. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at https://www.hallwines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by HALL.
2017 HALL ‘Ellie’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Ellie’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon is named after Craig’s mother and is sourced from more than ten vineyards and is made in a more restrained style. Layers of red bell pepper and coffee grounds are woven together with red cherry and mocha tones on the palate. This has great acidity and mouthfeel, with a good sense of elegance once on the mouth. Cassis and mocha combine with very pretty red fruits on the palate. The tension and acidity really drives this beautiful wine that will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2017 HALL ‘Eighteen Seventy-Three’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This is named after the first year that grapes were planted on their estate in St. Helena. Sourced from roughly twenty vineyards throughout the valley. Espresso bean tones combine with chocolate covered cherry and creme de cassis on the nose. The palate is seamless with great acidity with layers of blue and dark fruits that mingle with chocolate, tobacco leaf and graphite tones. With moderate tannins and a great sense of length, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next two decades. Drink 2020-2038- 95
2017 HALL ‘Bergfeld’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Bergfeld’ is almost entirely sourced from their Saint Helena property which is set on an ancient river bed with well-drained soils. Right away the beautiful floral character on the nose impresses, with blackberry compote, black licorice and shades of anise aromatics that all come together in the glass. The palate is seamless with a soft texture, as this dense yet elegant wine shows gorgeous layers of blackberry pie, mocha, anise and creme de cassis with a great acid backbone. This boasts outstanding length and tension, with a light dusting of sanity. Outstanding to savor in its youth, this beautiful new Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 95
2017 HALL ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational new release by HALL. Gorgeous aromatics of creme de cassis, Turkish coffee, smoke and blueberry compote all collide on the nose. The palate shows off its silky, seductive texture and scintillating length. Layers of black cherry cough syrup, mocha and tar are woven together with sweet pipe tobacco, tar and graphite. The wonderful sense of range here is particularly striking. With great weight and poise, this is a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon that has some serious aging potential. Drink 20021-2045- 97
2017 HALL ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon by HALL is another thrilling release that shows power and great terrroir. The downright intoxicating aromatics really entice with creme de cassis, anise, exotic spices and tar tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, giving off an err of decadence and producing a seamless effect. Gobs of moiuth-watering acidity connect with the deep core of dark and blue fruit flavors with cigar box and mocha undertones that sit alongside fine grained tannins. With great depth and elegance, this beautiful new wine will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Be sure to give this several hours of air if consuming in its nascent phase. Drink 2021-2040- 96
2017 HALL ‘Jack’s Masterpiece’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Jack’s Masterpiece’ is a dense, hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon that has a long life in the cellar ahead of it. Enticing aromas of creme de cassis, tar, cigar ash and chocolate covered espresso bean tones all sing in unison on the nose. The palate is dense, plush, and downright delicious. Rich black currants dance with mocha, tar, anise, dark chocolate shavings and sweet pipe tobacco tones on the palate. Decadent, yet elegant, with outstanding length and poise, this beautiful wine will cellar well for decades to come. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this a two to three hour decant. Drink 2021-2040- 96
2017 HALL ‘Kathryn Hall’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Kathryn Hall’ is a stunning, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from a host of Napa Valley vineyards including their estate Sacrache Vineyard. Mocha, creosote and blueberry compote tones combine with suggestions of sweet pipe tobacco on the nose. The wine has a gorgeous sense of elegance, as the ethereal texture effortlessly makes this glide across the mid-palate. Layers of creme de cassis, blueberry pie, tar and menthol tones all are marvelously woven together on the palate. With great length, weight and poise, this 2017 ‘Kathryn Hall’ is not only sensational to enjoy in its youth but will be one built for long-term aging. Drink 2020-2038- 97
2017 HALL ‘Rainin Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Rainin Vineyard’ is an 8 acre parcel on Diamond Mountain, owned by the Rainin family, entirely planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2017 HALL ‘Rainin Vineyard’ is a barrel selection wine that opens with gorgeous Asian spices and creme de cassis, and red rose petals woven together with mocha, tar, sandalwood and shades of graphite. The palate is seamless and elegant, with its plush texture that effortlessly moves throughout the drinking experience. Firm tannins line the core of blackberry compote and blueberry pie, and Turkish coffee alongside suggestions of tar, black licorice candy and baking spices on the palate. Showing sensational length, weight and a strong veil of tension, the 2017 ‘Rainin Vineyard’ will enjoy a very long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2045- 99
2017 HALL ‘Sacrashe Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The famed ‘Sacrashe Vineyard’ is the HALL estate vineyard located in the hills above Rutherford. I am absolutely enamored by this very special new release Cabernet Sauvignon from 2017 that is one of the finest wines I have sampled over the past year. Once on the nose, the ‘Sacrashe Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows alluring blackberry compote, creme de cassis, mocha and creosote tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, showing incredible depth, concentration and gobs of mouth-watering acidity that makes this particularly gratifying to savor in its youth. Violets and creme de cassis artfully combine with chocolate covered espresso bean, loganberry cordial, blueberry compote, Earl Grey tea, exotic spices on the palate. Tasted over more than one day, this becomes even more complex and delicious. Seamless, rich and elegant, this Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of perfection in a bottle. Drink 2020-2045- 100