One of the outrageously good producers from Sonoma, Hill of Tara was founded by TOR general manager Danny Fay. For years Fay recognized the potential for growing world-class grapes on Moon Mountain, an AVA. This is an incredibly scenic area that is set at 2,000 feet, towering above the Sonoma Valley. The highest vineyards in the Moon Mountain District American Viticultural Area (AVA) enable clear-day views of San Francisco from 50 miles away, with skyscrapers gleaming in the southern distance. Soil types here are mainly rocky and of volcanic origin, on slopes and ridge tops of the Mayacamas Mountains.
Hill of Tara winery is named after an ancient ceremonial and burial site in Ireland. The hill is known as the inauguration place of the high kings of Ireland and it also appears in Irish mythology. The historic ground has many monuments and earthworks that date all the way back to the Neolithic and Iron Age. Danny Fay honored his Irish lineage by creating this winery that sources from a host of sites on Moon Mountain.
Winemaker Alex Kanzler has worked harvests in Central Otago, New Zealand, Dundee Hills, Oregon and Russian River Valley, CA. He has been mentored by legendary winemakers like Michael Browne, Shane Finley, and Russell Bevan. The wines are absolutely incredible across the board. I am enamored by the 2019 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter II-Ode to Tormey’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 98) which is up there with the finest Cabernet Franc from Sonoma that I have tasted. Generous, broad shouldered, very elegant, displaying a pillowy texture, this will easily be a 20 year wine. Learn more about these incredible wines at https://www.hilloftarawines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Hill of Tara wines.
2018 Hill of Tara ‘Mountain Cuvee’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Mountain Cuvee’ has a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) than the 2019 edition. It is marvelous and soft on the mouth, with a silky texture. Layers of boysenberry preserves, mocha and scorched earth all combine with violets on the palate. Finishing long with beautiful length and underlying finesse, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will live on for another fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2019 Hill of Tara ‘Mountain Cuvee’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Mountain Cuvee’ is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc. Black currants, tar and black licorice mark the nose with beautiful dark floral notes. The palate is soft, round and concentrated, with chewy tannins that frame a generous core of red and dark fruits alongside chocolate and tobacco leaf notes. Fabulous now, enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2018 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter 1-Mound of Hostages’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The wow-factor 2018 ‘Chapter 1-Mound of Hostages’ is named after the oldest visible monument on the Hill of Tara. Coming from the Moonridge Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested in mid-October. The nose is utterly sensational with violet rose petals, black currants, potpourri, espresso grounds and freshly tilled loamy soils. Pillowy and soft, this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. A massive wall of black and blue fruits greets you, alongside graphite, chocolate fudge and damp soil accents on the palate. Seriously good now, this will surely live on for another twenty plus years to come. But why wait? Drink 2024-2044- 98
2019 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter 1-Mound of Hostages’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Picked on a near-identical date to the 2018 bottling, the 2019 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter 1-Mound of Hostages’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an utterly stunning bottling from this outstanding vintage. This is ultra-refined across the mid-palate, with plenty of opulence, weight and underlying finesse. Layers of dark rose petal and espresso grounds combine with loamy soil, and creme de violette on the palate. Finishing very long with dense dark fruits and copious minerals, be sure to give this an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2024-2045- 98
2018 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter II-Ode to Tormey’ Cabernet Franc- The 2018 ‘Chapter II-Ode to Tormey’ Cabernet Franc is a nod to the last private landholder of the Hill of Tara and he is depicted on this label riding a white horse. The nose is downright electric with bright red florals that march on with menthol, silty soils, creme de cassis and Arabica bean notes. The palate is ultra-refined with fantastic flavor density. Silky smooth on the mouth, with fantastic herbal undertones, there isn’t a wine quite like this in Sonoma. Stunning. Give this several hours in the decanter if enjoying now, as this beauty really built momentum following a three hour decant. Drink 2024-2045- 98
2019 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter II-Ode to Tormey’ Cabernet Franc- The 2019 Hill of Tara ‘Chapter II-Ode to Tormey’ Cabernet Franc is a world-class bottling by winemaker Alex Kanzler that needs a lot of air before enjoying. Wonderfully herbal on the nose this revels in red bell pepper, alongside thyme, blackberry pie and suggestions of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is silky and refined with a seamless texture and fabulous level of freshness. A bit closed now, this can really use another year of bottle age — but it will be exceedingly hard to be patient because it is so good following three hours in the decanter. Drink 2025-2045- 98