After a coffee chat at work yesterday that ended discussing Hillside Select I was motivated to open one for the holiday weekend. Initially I was very disappointed as the wine was flat and uninspiring considering the pedigree and price tag. Read some reviews that this 2013 needs A LOT of air and sure enough after hours the wine began to evolve and markedly improve. It is an intense wine that lingers in the mouth for a long time. Smooth tannins, red fruit and tobacco flavors. Not my most favorite wine and not at the $229 I paid, but nonetheless a very good wine once it had the chance to get some air for a few hours — 5 years ago
Beautiful blend. Can't go wrong for the money — 5 years ago
Even better than last year’s bottle, which I called “the devil’s work” and rated 95. So much more emerging and the finest, grainy tannins just melted on my palate. Burnt cocoa, velvety cassis. Never got warmed up due to Covid doors open. This has decades to go. — 6 years ago
Light and bright. Good table wine — 7 years ago
I enjoyed this reasonably priced wine. — 8 years ago
Not a watery boring Pinot - lots of depth. Gift from Rob for work on Avast — 8 years ago
Big body Pinot, dark fruit blackberries, hints of cola, long on the palette, wonderful wine after a long day of work! — 4 years ago
My favorite light red I’ve tried so far! The waiter said it would work well through the entire tasting menu because of its low alcohol content. The Frappato added lightness to the wine. I thought there was a good balance of funk, interest and smoothness in there. — 5 years ago
Pale straw gold with silver highlights. Somewhat shy nose of underripe Fuji apple and Asian pear. Firm acidity leads the smoky/flinty light-bodied palate of underripe pome fruit and citrus rind. Remarkably long (8-9 secs) palate cleansing finish. Merciful saints! This is the entry level wine from the Dagueneau portfolio and it makes you want to go higher! Food is, of course, its friend, but if you’re into “sipping culture” this will work for you as well. Seafood (cooked or sushi) is a particularly fine pair, naturally. Drink now through 2027. — 5 years ago
Nice after work treat 🙂🥂 — 6 years ago

Definitely the most broadly appealing and well-rounded of the Alvear range. Fruit-driven and concentrated, decidedly less salty and mineral-forward as the entry level Fino. Rounded, complex mouthfeel with nice slow-building acidity that coats the palate very well from front to back. Quite dominated by youthful yeasty aromas that are remarkably similar to fresh baked bread. It’s relatively dry and fresh but would work beautifully with sharp cheeses. — 8 years ago
Black cherry, underbrush, cola, baking spice. Finesse. Med- bodied. Acid does a lot of work. — 8 years ago
Brush my teeth with syrah garnacha — 4 years ago
From Kevin Carriker (used to work with Mark Herold for the early vintages - not sure about these later ones). Excellent Napa cab that went great with grilled filet mignon. Could easily improve in the bottle for a few more years. Not the best incarnation of Kobalt that I’ve had, but it’s still very good. — 5 years ago

This Sunday evening after my work weekend; which was actually one 12 hr. Shift short; (Covid vaccine #2 kicked my behind! ⛑). I have opened this Napa Cabernet!. I am the only wine Connoisseur in the household so my collection is humble and am trying to desperately NOT open certain wines!
I have to remind myself that wine has its journey and sometimes it is just awesome to taste a wine where it is at in this moment!
Sure this might be better in five years, this wine is delicious and reasonably priced! Presents with mild Tannins, Bing Cherry, cedar big time, pencil lead, soft vanilla, mocha and subtle baking spices!
No regrets! Cheers to your work week! Vintage
2018 — 5 years ago

What can derail you from Delectable for a few months? Perhaps a global pandemic and all the associated work it brought? Hopefully back to stay and rating the backlog that got me through it 😂 Classic Cali Chard - tropical, citrusy notes with almost a waxy or silky mouthfeel. Very little if any butter or oak, and always a delight! — 7 years ago
At Ocean Prime with ladies from work! — 8 years ago
Benjamin Hickey
Super flinty, lots of lees work but great balance of acid and pretty delicate over all — 5 months ago