Hartwell Vineyards
T5 Barrel 1 Red Blend
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Nice bottle, wouldn’t pay what Realm is trying to sell it for now that they bought out the vineyard, but under $200.00 is about right.
The T5 is their most premium Cabernet Sauvignon – always 100% varietal it is hand-picked from vines growing in their tiny vineyard. This wine ages in special Taransaud (the cooper) barrels for 2 years. These are rare barrels, this is rare wine indeed as only 100 six-bottle cases are produced annually. The wood is from trees that were planted during the time of Louis XIV (he was the King of France from 1643 until he died in 1715) and only the best French coopers are allowed to work with this wood. The staves are seasoned for a remarkable 5 years before being assembled (up to 3 years is more the norm for oak barrels being used for aging wine).
Don’t get me wrong, this is No Dominus or Ridge Montebello. More of a Schrader or well aged Chappellet. Or the previously Realm Style. I needed to mix it up today.
Nice bottle, wouldn’t pay what Realm is trying to sell it for now that they bought out the vineyard, but under $200.00 is about right.
The T5 is their most premium Cabernet Sauvignon – always 100% varietal it is hand-picked from vines growing in their tiny vineyard. This wine ages in special Taransaud (the cooper) barrels for 2 years. These are rare barrels, this is rare wine indeed as only 100 six-bottle cases are produced annually. The wood is from trees that were planted during the time of Louis XIV (he was the King of France from 1643 until he died in 1715) and only the best French coopers are allowed to work with this wood. The staves are seasoned for a remarkable 5 years before being assembled (up to 3 years is more the norm for oak barrels being used for aging wine).
Don’t get me wrong, this is No Dominus or Ridge Montebello. More of a Schrader or well aged Chappellet. Or the previously Realm Style. I needed to mix it up today.
13' Hartwell T-5. I have never posted wine that I received before. I was a little excited to receive this famous bottle of wine. I'll open my first one in about five years.
13' Hartwell T-5. I have never posted wine that I received before. I was a little excited to receive this famous bottle of wine. I'll open my first one in about five years.
Nov 17th, 2016Thats 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.
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.
One of the first 2013s to really show through as I haven’t seen too many that aren’t overpowering at this point. If I could attach the clip of Rodney Dangerfield I’m Back to School where he recites the poem - he keeps saying “Yes”..... then that’s what I would’ve done here. Not that @Benoit Touquette would understand the reference anyway....
One of the first 2013s to really show through as I haven’t seen too many that aren’t overpowering at this point. If I could attach the clip of Rodney Dangerfield I’m Back to School where he recites the poem - he keeps saying “Yes”..... then that’s what I would’ve done here. Not that @Benoit Touquette would understand the reference anyway....
May 18th, 2020
This is craziness but this is the 2nd time I’ve pulled one of these out in the last couple weeks. The other week it wasn’t close to this one. Tonight it’s about 98-100. Unreal.
This is craziness but this is the 2nd time I’ve pulled one of these out in the last couple weeks. The other week it wasn’t close to this one. Tonight it’s about 98-100. Unreal.
Nov 3rd, 2018Definitely needed at least an hour decant first. Not as much fruit as normal so wondering if the 2013s are starting to shut down a little. But this is an excellent wine. @Benoit Touquette rarely makes a bad one. ....never
Definitely needed at least an hour decant first. Not as much fruit as normal so wondering if the 2013s are starting to shut down a little. But this is an excellent wine. @Benoit Touquette rarely makes a bad one. ....never
Oct 28th, 2018Very hard to rate. It is sooooo good. I know it’s young, but the nose on this thing is tremendous. @Benoit Touquette Another amazing wine. #biased
Very hard to rate. It is sooooo good. I know it’s young, but the nose on this thing is tremendous. @Benoit Touquette Another amazing wine. #biased
Jun 2nd, 2018