Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I bought this at K&L recently for $79 to judge their 3rd wine vs the younger Dana & Onda I have. This is a select from their 3 primary single vineyards.

If you love rich, ripe. bold Napa Cabernets, you will love the 2014 Vaso today. It’s still early but drinking nicely tonight. It took a 3 hr decant. Prior, it was missing a bit of a mid-palate. Not now!

The nose is beautiful. Dark currants-cassis, sandalwood, dry twig, dryish tobacco, mid intensity baking spices, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, black licorice, dark to mid berry cola, steeped black tea, caramel/mocha, dry crushed rocks, candied to withering flowers framed in soft violets & lavender.

The palate is rich, lush, bold & striking. Dark currants-cassis, wild, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums-black dominate to pudding, a buffet of mixed purple fruits, some baked strawberries w/ haunting raspberries. Bold, dark spices, caramel, mocha, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & a touch of vanilla, anise to black licorice, a mix of fresh & herbs, light cedar to sandalwood, dry tobacco with some ash, graphite, dry river stone, limestone marl, dry crush rocks, dry top soil, dark, withering to candied; dark, red flowers with violets, grand acidity, layered finish that is well balanced-structured, still well tensioned, elegant & smartly polished finish that goes on and on.

I bought 13 & 15 Vaso for the same price before finishing my commets.

This has 15-20 yrs good drinking ahead.

@SimplyRedVirtualLiveHamburg — 6 hours ago

Doug Powers

9.6

Sweet dried redfruits and oak aromas, soft tannins, sweet fruit on palate as well, very fine acidity and depth, seems close to fully mature, but should last 3-5 years at least, kudos to Patrick Campbell, who made a lot of outstanding LG Cabernets back in the 1980s and 1990s, excellent Sonoma Mountain Cabernet!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Vino Joe

9.4

Solid CA Cab. Rich and thick. I liked it but it wasn’t quite up to the build up. Dark fruits. Bramble and high alcohol. Tighter than it should be this point. I enjoyed but was still somewhat lacking. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Rich and supple but not as rich as this Cuvée often is. Earthy red fruits with herbs. As Bob Campbell said, good vinosity. Always one of the top Pinots from the North Island. See previous Delectable notes on this Cuvée and vintage. — 2 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

The best! — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Red and black fruits - cherry. Generally muted on the nose, even the following day. A big Pinot on the palate - it needed to be with curried prawns with plenty of heat. The following day similar notes - a good accompaniment to strong flavoured foods. Medium + savoury notes on the palate , yet to fully blossom, with fine Sandy tannins. A couple more years in the cellar would be beneficial. 99 points from Kiwi wine scribe, Bob Campbell MW. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.3

Gem of a wine. — 2 months ago

Eric K

9.8

Campbell vineyard 2018. Great bouquet with legs that don’t quit. Excellent taste went great with steak — 2 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.7

Prob our fave Anthill wine yet. Phenomenal! — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes here on Delectable. Mid to pale ruby in colour. Pale yet powerful. Great aromatics of pansies, rose petals and violets also stalkiness. As Barb said the aromas of a beautiful garden. After a while an Animale, feral note not unlike some Burgundies we’ve had. Medium bodied palate - dried red fruits with a sweet yet savoury twist. A very polished new World Pinot by any measure. Tasters often identify with Central Otago and Martinborough for quality NZ Pinot Noir. Don’t forget about Canterbury in the South Island not far from the city of Christchurch. Luckily I have 2 left. Bob Campbell MW says drink through to 2025. — 2 years ago