Ron from VA

9.2

Wow! My cellar aging project scores another ‘discovery’ win. At almost 10 years from harvest, this Nate Walsh built beauty was doing what aged Nebbiolo is supposed to do! Using Horton fruit (Orange, Va), this bottle has metamorphosed into a seductive herbal-rose tea. It’s acidity is almost non-detectable, yet it was the perfect pairing for Tuscan-sausages & peppers w/creamy mash. The flavors of this Nebbiolo are so alive that they danced effortlessly with the sautéed peppers and complimented the herbs in the locally made Tuscans. Just wow…1 ‘12 remains plus 2 ‘10’s. — 2 years ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Thats some great juice @Benoit Touquette wine.👍🏼
Winery notes

STORY

Benoit Touquette has continued to serve as winemaker since 2006.

The first vines the family planted were one acre of Bosche clone Cabernet Sauvignon grafted to budwood provided by Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards. The first few vintages were also made at Grace Family Vineyards, until the winery on the estate was completed, with Andy Erickson as winemaker. The winery's first release was an estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 1990, which sold out immediately, and with subsequent vintages, Hartwell established a reputation for fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over the years, other parcels of the property were planted, allowing the winery to produce other Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as Merlot, a red dessert wine, and a red wine blend. In 2006, the Hartwells purchased a 4.5-acre vineyard in Carneros from which they produce a Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc, and brought acclaimed winemaker Benoit Touquette on board to oversee production.


Hartwell Vineyards was founded in 1986 when Bob Hartwell purchased 90 acres of Wappo Hill—the half of Wappo Hill not owned by Robert Mondavi—in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.

The fruit for the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the highest point on the Hartwell estate, blocks 14 and 15, which were planted to Bosche clone 30 years ago. The 100% Cabernet wine ages for two years in T5 barriques, rare and prized barrels from famed French cooperage house, Taransaud. These barrels are toasted and crafted from five-year seasoned staves by coopers who have been awarded the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsman in France). Much like some of the finest wines, they are available only to a select list of customers due to their limited availability.

Each year, a mere 100 cases of Hartwell T5 are produced, available only by allocation to members of the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon wine club. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.6

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

And the hits just keep coming. A total monster. I found this to be the most extracted of the 5 reds. Could smell it five feet away. Dark chocolate dipped blueberries and blackberries, graham cracker, mocha, violets all jump from the glass. Velvet like texture revealing a streak of ripe red fruits and an herbal/mineral like note down the middle of the palate. Dusty. So much beautiful freshness but commanding power here...longest finish of the day. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab (specifically Shafer Hillside Select). — 4 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

William Lee, Jr.

9.1

Combined w/Anita's Choice and espresso

Paired w/Italian lemon cake — 2 years ago

G Boltacher

9.5

Im not really a wine drinker but this was my first purchase. I got it from Sam’s Club for about 22.99 and wow, I loved it. It was delicious - like full flavor. — 3 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.4

Reserve Napa Valley Pinot Noir with cherry, cola, and vanilla notes. My go to Club Pinot! — 4 years ago

Ron from VA

9.1

Very rare one-off from Nate’s early years at SSH. He source the Syrah from Horton and crafted in the “feminine” style. At 10yrs old it is really special. The acid had waned a bit (say 85% from baseline), but the aromatics were very Pinot...Oregon meets Rhône :) this was our thanksgiving dinner wine and it was great with Charcuterie and then brown sugar-cured ham, sweet potatoes, cream spinach etc. delicious!! — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.5

Prior notes still apply, but this bottle was much more on point than the last 14mo ago. I'd suggest this still has at least 8-10y to go from proper storage!

Nose has old cedar closet, dusty cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, burnt blackberry pie, over-ripe black cherry, volcanic rocks and over-ripe blueberry.

Palate has ripe blackberry, warmed plum, dark chocolate bar, prune, dried blackberry, semi-dried cranberry, cigar box and tanned leather. Tannins are light, but still proof of youthfulness!

Paired alongside medium rare Delmonico cut steaks from our favorite local farm, Kinderhook Farm (Valatie NY). Perfection.

6h decant, more time appreciated. Last bottle. 😢

Added to cellar inventory around April 2006; We obtained this as members of the Wine Club.

Release notes from SLWC courtesy of @Yen Boubel (She's the greatest!)

CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLUB 23 members, the Golden Rectangle is a harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the FAY vineyard. The name "Golden Rectangle" refers to our winemaking philosophy inspired by the Golden Mean, the principle that contrary elements, balanced in the right proportion, create tense harmony.

In this select bottling, the opposing elements include two different varietals from two different vintages. The wine is a blend of 61.8% FAY Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, and 38.2% FAY Petit Verdot fruit in the proportion of the Golden Mean. Petit Verdot is a Bordeaux blending varietal typically used in very small amounts because of its power and structure. This blend of Petit Verdot might seem unusually high; however, because of the ideal proportion of these different elements, the Petit Verdot adds structure, aromatics, and texture, rather than overpowering the Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition, the blend combines the old and the new-with fruit in roughly equal proportion from the 2002 and 2003 vintages. In this combination, the mellow tones of the older vintage soften the robust character of the younger vintage. The result is an opulent blend, rich with fruit, spices, and exotic perfume. — 3 years ago

Kimberly Jamrozek

10

Impulse buy at Sam's Club. I have tried a few from this maker and enjoy all of them. Definitely have to be aware of the cost though. I try to be thrifty because of my consumption volume 😁 — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

We recently had a 40 wine blind tasting at the Downs Club to select a new Premium Member’s Claret. This wine was in my Top 5 but in the end did not get the nod. Dark rich colour with plenty of ripe fruit and toasty oak but still manages to have notes of black pepper in this full bodied red. I liked this from an exceptional vintage in South Australia. — 4 years ago