January 21, 2024 - Unfortunately this had a slight issue, but the wine behind that was glorious
September 23, 2023 - -- decanted approx. 1 hr. before tasting --
-- tasted non-blind over a couple hours --
I last had this wine in 2011 --- that bottle remains the best Napa Cab. I've had. Fast forward 12 years, and we have this bottle here. Cork in pristine condition. Fill was bottom neck. Quite youthful color, considering we're talking a 30 yo wine. Aromatically, this is at peak --- dark, giving, and well into tertiary territory -- beautiful aromatics. On the palate, this was very tasty -- excellent -- but I sense that it is coming down off its peak, as it was a bit lacking in drive. Drink Now and over the near term.
April 23, 2023 - Perfectly ripe now. Plums, camomile , leather, fantastic mouthfeel and balance. I think it’s worth opening bottles now, because while I think this has easily 15 years ahead, I think right now it offers most pleasure.
May 4, 2022 - Tasted blind. Not decanted and none necessary, but feel free to go for up to 1h. Fruit forward bouquet showing refined red cherry and blueberries, dry earth, mineral notes of ash and pencil shavings. There is also a nice spicy touch. But that is only the first impression. Quickly you’ll also discover fine aging notes of tobacco and plenty of cigar box notes. Amazing tension, soft texture thanks to velvety, perfectly integrated tannin. But make no mistake, there is a bold and commanding stature that shines through a finish that goes on and on. With aeration this later added an elements of eucalyptus and menthol with the latter becoming more and more pronounced. All the while, the fruit remains immensely fresh and sweet. One of the best aged Napa cabs I’ve had to date, easily competing with Dominus and maybe even surpassing the Dominus of the same vintage.
May 4, 2022 - Tasted double blind. No detailed notes taken. I was convinced this was a left bank Bordeaux, probably a St. Julien. There was so much fresh, pure blue fruit, forest berries, not a shred too ripe, lots of minerality, some tobacco and black truffles in the background. Melted tannins, well-integrated and medium- acidity, good balance and completeness. What was missing for a higher rating is more acidity and tension. Compared to the Dominus 1994 in the next glass, this Hillside had a bit less substance and much less precision and flavor intensity too.Still a great wine and highly elegant and round and for sure the most Bordeaux-esque Hillside I’ve had to date. Only with a lot of time in the glass, more eucalyptus/mint notes and a touch sweetness came out, hinting a bit that this could be classic Napa. 95 pts, only beaten by a stunning Dominus 1994 (rated 97+ pts) in the next glass, which had much better precision and tertiary aroma concentration.
Decanting: Not decanted, followed over a few hours. The wine opened-up a bit but still, I don’t think it needs more than an hour or two in the decanter.
June 12, 2021 - Fully mature, integrated tannins. Perfect pairing with sous vide tenderloin steak.
February 1, 2021 - This is absolutely stunning and everything I love about aged Napa. I've had 2004 and 2010 Hillside (both 100 pts) and they don't compare to this bottle...although I hope they do with similar age on them in the future. In a perfect drinking window now and I expect it to stay that way for a while.
June 20, 2020 - A bit faded with some warmth poking though yet still nice red fruited rhubarb like flavors throughout. Suggest drinking up, but likely holds just fine.
May 17, 2020 - Shot. Don’t know why I expected anything different-bottle from 3 year’s ago was gone, too. So disappointing.
December 20, 2019 - At 27 this was a beautiful experience in every way, with a nose of rich cedar followed by bold but supple fruit and a strong finish. Just excellent.