Far Ago Hill Wines

Sami-Odi

Our Hill Shiraz 2021

Delectable - this is the Sami Odi Our Hill Cuvée. Notes later. 2021 vintage. This is the 2nd ever vintage of Our Hill from Sami-Odi from Shiraz grapes grown in the Eden Valley. The 3rd vintage released earlier this year only had a production of around 280 bottles (weather problems - hail) and sold out in under 30 minutes. I missed out. Delectable has done well to recognise this bottle - very cryptic even on Fraser McKinley’s highly cryptic labelling standards. I made a note of the first Our Hill about 93 weeks ago. All whole bunch vinification. Quite rich for an Eden Valley Shiraz. Interestingly Fraser says “Our Hill “ is best enjoyed over the next few years in its youth (finest on the day of opening) contrary to the old vine Hoffmann wines. Reminiscent of Henschke Mount Edelstone in some respects without the longevity of Edelstone probably. Delicious nonetheless. — 2 months ago

Anthony, Doug and 12 others liked this

Home Hill

Kelly's Reserve Tasmania Pinot Noir 2015

Last note on the 2015 vintage was in January 2017. Same notes as previous - luscious raspberry notes. I drank this in Toowoomba a few days ago and now on the Gold Coast. Needs to be a regular purchase. Too delicious not to be. — a year ago

Serge, Josh and 13 others liked this

B.R. Cohn

Olive Hill Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 1985

Somewhat herbal with some faint mushroom notes, solid fruit, last bottle I have, but ideally I should have finished this 5-10 years ago, but still nicely balanced. (While drinking this, I’m humming China Grove by the Doobies!!) — 2 years ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Scott@Mister, Severn and 1 other liked this

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Same comments as a few months ago. Drinking really well now. Big fruits, big cab. Really well integrated and developed. Black and blue fruit, nice minerality, some baking spices, soft nice mouthfeel. Finish a bit short but man it’s really good. — 5 months ago

Paul, Joe and 4 others liked this

Bell Hill Vineyards

Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir 2016

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. — 7 months ago

Byron, Ira and 23 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bob McDonald So funny I just had their ‘09 Chardonnay. Drinking beautifully.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Wlll do Byron. Will get back on Monday.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

That’s a good bit of age on a New world Chardy. Good to hear it was drinking well.

Jemrose

Cardiac Hill Vineyard Syrah 2010

Ming L
9.0

Tasted this about a year ago. This second bottle does not have the wow factor like the first one. The nose is less fragrant and more meaty, and the palate a bit more herbal and angular, which is probably true to the varietal. Still a very complex wine. Have 1 bottle left and hopefully I can keep my hands off for another 2-3 years.
250 cases, and I believe the wine maker for the vintage is Bevan. Bennett Valley is the smallest, and probably the least known Sonoma sub AVA.
— 2 years ago

Severn, Daniel P. and 3 others liked this

Piedra Hill Vineyard (W.H. Smith)

Purple Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Wow. If this was blind - I would’ve guessed 20 year old Bordeaux. Super complex and combo of tannins, fruit, meat, and some tobacco. Crazy. Nothing like I remember it from last bottle we had 10 years ago — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister and Tom liked this

William Hill Estate Winery

Benchmark Napa Valley Red Blend 2014

ESF
9.3

In the pocket w/long life ahead: solid Napa CS - usually priced out of these wines, but I picked this up years ago and decided to see where it was: super inky, not a sign of age, very generous fragrant nose right away, lots of [chambord] liqueur like blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry, cassis, and well integrated oak. Rich luscious viscous on palate, finely grained tannins, loads of fruit from nose and a lengthy finish. Perfect w/ribeye — 7 months ago

Aravind, Vanessa and 7 others liked this

Pooley

Butcher's Hill Pinot Noir 2009

So gorgeous. Bought from the winery more than 10 years ago. Fruit still so pure and luscious tannin on the back palate. Love it. — 2 years ago

Petaluma

Hanlin Hill Riesling 2011

One of the pleasures in life is having a 10 year old Clare Valley Riesling. Had the last one a year ago in August 2020. This time some kerosene notes creeping in with the peachy notes. Honeyed nuances on the palate. Delicious. Diminished acid but could be kept for a few more years. A little chalky minerality. I think I have one left. — 3 years ago

Daniel, Rob and 18 others liked this