KATHRYN HALL 2009 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 750mL
The 2009 release of the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon had “tough shoes to fill” with the 2008 making headlines as Wine Spectator's #2 wine of the year; yet somehow they nailed it again, scoring well with critics and our staff here at Hi-Time Cellars.ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE notes: “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall is one of the more subdued wines in this lineup. The blend includes 14% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, which probably accounts for much of the wine’s personality. Sweet red cherries, flowers and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this silky, polished Cabernet Sauvignon. As outstanding as this is, I don’t get the visceral thrill of the best wines here. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019."
This is a thrilling set of wines from Hall. The estate favors a rich, extroverted style, yet all of these wines have distinct personalities and tons of sheer character. Meticulous viticulture followed by native yeast fermentations, slow, natural malos and minimal rackings are at the heart of the approach at Hall. The wines are aged in French oak (mostly Taransaud, 40-90% new) and are bottled with no fining or filtration. Readers who appreciate the more opulent side of Napa Valley will find much to admire here. Simply put, I was blown away by what I tasted. As outstanding as the 2009s are, there is a very good chance the 2010s will turn out to be even better.
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Ultrarich and multiflavored, with a range of deep, baked berry notes. Intense and focused, balanced and persistent, this ends with touches of red and black licorice and subtle, grainy earth accents and tannins. Drink now through 2022. 3,400 cases made."
