Sorry to say I turned 60 a couple of weeks ago. My daughters came in to celebrate this past weekend and we wanted to drink some good wine. What a trio: ‘12 Cade Reserve, ‘13 Cardinale, and ‘05 Leoville Las Cases. Ironically, I am going to score all 3 of these as 97+. They were really a treat. The Las Cases was decanted for 5 hours and it was clear that we were about 7 years too early. It’s a terrific wine and at at age ~25 it will be absolutely stunning. Already has balance and harmony. Can’t wait until I am about 67 so that I can revisit the remaking 11 bottles! — a year ago
2018 vintage. Not the most complex but a delicious second wine. — a year ago
Cardinale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: Medium-plus body. Perfect balance between acidity & tannins. Big, dark fruit flavors of blackberry, black currant & blueberry and soft notes of vanilla & oak. An unforgettably smooth long finish. For me, this was the highlight wine of the night. Simply amazing! A must try if you want to experience the pinnacle of California Cabernets! Happy New Year to all! Cheers🍷 — 6 months ago
It is a medium dark wine with a savory nose, showing violets, licorice, forest floor and a touch of cardamom. The palate is spicy, with black pepper and herbs joining the black berry profile. The tannins are quite firm and the acidity is fresh. It is a youthful wine which will pair nicely with a pork roast. — a year ago
This was my contribution for a 10-yr retrospective of Napa cab with a local group. All wines (16 of them) were tasted blind. Others of note were Cardinale, Larkmead, Bryant Family, Vineyard 29, Corra and Jacquelyn To-Kalon.
My first experience with this wine, and when I acquired it, I wasn’t aware it was a 100 pointer. I’ve had many Hall wines but this is definitely their most structured wine. It’s fruit forward but in no way close to their other offerings. At 100% cab, it drinks like it. I let this breathe from bottle for about 2hrs before it was thrown in a decanter for another 2-3hrs and consumed. I had a splash at pop and it was crazy coiled, underripe and dusty. When I came back to it later (albeit blind, so I’m looking at my notes), it sported dark fruit on both the nose and the palate. Dark cocoa dipped black cherries, ripe blueberries and blackberries, as well as cassis and espresso aromatically. There was also a bit of a lavender/floral note that gave it a unique quality. On the palate, it eventually smoothed out beautifully, but was powerful the entire time. Dense and rich with added notes of fig, baking spices, and cocoa dusted fruits. One of those wines that makes you think overpowering, but then dials it down to silk on the finish. I think this is just entering a prime drinking window. Bummer I don’t have more. — 2 years ago
vinokeeno
2018 vintage. Spearmint and smashed blackberry/blueberry in the nose. Medium body. Darker than sin. Those silky/fine-grained tannins showing through with a tantalizingly delicate black plum/stone fruits finish that banks off the cheeks vs straight down the hatch. Classy and already showing waay better than the last tasting 11.26.21. It said yeah. 74% Merlot. 22% Cab Franc. 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. — 3 months ago