2/6/2022 - tewks wrote:

i really like this wine. it is perfect for red sauce dinners or with pizza. it has nice body and smooth mouth feel. some chiantis can be acidic but i don't find that here. the price point is reasonable, allowing you to open the necessary bottles for the lasagna feed or the pizza party without breaking the bank. will be buying more if i can find it.

12/24/2021 - tewks wrote:

i see it has been nearly 2 years since I last consumed this wine. took it to the big steak house and paired it with porterhouse and the usual sides. the wine was a perfect complement to the meal. the tannins have relaxed leaving a velvety smoothness which I love in cabernet. i am happy i exercised the discipline to lay this down as it is just what I hoped it would be. sorry to see I only have 3 bottles left, but it is at its prime so will drink it up in next couple of months.

11/15/2020 - tewks wrote:

beautiful cabernet. nice structure. tannins have relaxed releasing full flavor. smooth and elegant. wish this wasnt my last bottle.

1/19/2020 - tewks wrote:

we served this big cab with beef wellington. paired perfectly with the beef and mushrooms. nice flavor of dark fruit. smooth finish as tannins have relaxed. everything i had hoped for when i bought it nine years ago. both bottles we opened performed well. glad to have a couple more bottles to enjoy.

3/9/2019 - tewks wrote:

Hall 1873 never disappoints. In my opinion it is the best Cabernet they make even though it is not the most expensive or the most publicized. Served these bottles with Beef Chaucer, filet with gravy made with mushroom and red currant jelly. The wine and jelly paired beautifully together. It was a great match and well received by our guests. Memorable wine with a memorable meal.

12/23/2017 - tewks wrote:

Smooth, silky, delicious bottle of wine. I think it is in the perfect drinking window right now. Relaxed Tannins full fruit flavor. Outstanding

12/25/2015 - tewks wrote:

this wine was a perfect complement to cornish game hen dinner. the crisp citrus flavors cut the richness of the hen. friendly to the palate and brightened the meal.

12/25/2015 - tewks wrote:

not a bad cab, but lacked the depth previous vintages have enjoyed. not powerful. good nose, smooth enough, but was hoping for more. decent wine but not one to serve if you are trying to impress.

10/31/2015 - tewks wrote:

crisp and fruity with good body. drank with seafood lunch in tuscany and it was perfect complement to the food. just received the case i ordered that afternoon from antinori and looking forward to serving it with my cioppino

2/16/2013 - tewks wrote:

beautiful wine. had saved it for special occasion and it did not disappoint.. the tannins have relaxed leaving a fruitful taste with a nice finish. always worry that a wine has been held too long but got this one at its peak and will enjoy the last bottle soon.
the wine was the perfect accompaniment to filet mignon with gorgonzola twice baked potatoes. the meat and cheese with the fruit from the wine was a memorable meal.

1/20/2013 - tewks wrote:

what a lovely pinot. tasted this at the winery and then ordered some. will be ordering more. big fruit forward, great nose and smooth drinking. opened the bottle about an hour and a half before we drank it but left in the bottle. opened fully in the glass. tasted it against twomey 2010 russian river and the anderson valley was better in everyone's view. served with pork tenderloin, sweet potato/apple mash. very enjoyable dinner with food and wine well paired.

1/19/2013 - tewks wrote:

very good pinot. fruitful, smooth. good nose and big fruit with first taste. lingered on the palate and had good mouth feel. served it with pork tenderloin with sweet potato,apple mash. complemented the meal beautifully.

12/25/2012 - tewks Likes this wine:

so sad you dropped this bottle. we enjoyed ours with friends and with a handy champagne stopper from mumm enjoyed it again Christmas Eve . nice balance. crisp and dry with nice fruit notes. perfect for a crowd as the taste is good and price is reasonable. will buy this again.

12/16/2012 - tewks wrote:

refreshing, bright. served with a crab,pear salad and the wine which pulled the fruit flavors forward. did not overpower the salad but was nice complement to the course.

3/4/2012 - tewks wrote:

First tastes were very good. Crisp and less oaken than traditional Cali chards. With the salad and shrimp, the flavors were not as enjoyable. Better wine without food.

3/4/2012 - tewks wrote:

Very nice cab. Opened both bottles an hour in advance of dinner. Decanter one and let the other open in the glasses during first courses. Both bottles were,vibrant. Good fruit evident from first taste. Nice structure and finish. Served with French onion soup and steak poivre . The wine was an excellent compliment with both courses.

12/7/2011 - tewks wrote:

Solid structure and very smooth with one hour opening. Went well with braised short ribs with balsamic glaze

4/10/2011 - tewks wrote:

Beautiful wine. Served with braised short ribs over creamy polenta. Complemented. The balsamic glaze on the meat. Smooth wine. Relaxed tannins. Drinking beautifully now. Would not hold much longer.

12/26/2010 - tewks wrote:

nose was muted. was expecting bigger wine with the price point and other reviews. some fruit of berries, but not much depth and not much of a finish. had it with beef wellington. complemented the meat and pate, but was expecting bigger, bolder cab.

3/14/2010 - tewks wrote:

always dependable wine. served with pork and calvados apple topping. good complement. smooth with nice fruit.

3/14/2010 - tewks wrote:

different taste. not really identifiable fruit, not much finish. ok with pizza but disappointing

3/14/2010 - tewks wrote:

quite good. floral nose. nice fruit. served with parmesan walleye ,parm mashed potatoes, balsamic asparagus and honeyed carrots. complemented meal and wine was well liked by all.

3/7/2010 - tewks wrote:

very enjoyable. very dry upon opening, but with 30 minute decant the flavors blended nicely. drank as appetizer wine with antipasti platter. went well with salami and cheeses. very good wine at this price point.

3/7/2010 - tewks wrote:

very good blend. served with veal saltimbocco and quatro frommage pasta. robust flavors and nice finish. well received by the group.

1/1/2010 - tewks wrote:

well received. served with first two courses of tomato basil soup and shrimp scampi. cold, crisp was a nice complement to both dishes. citrus flavors and dryness . will buy more

12/25/2009 - tewks wrote:

absolutely perfect bottle of wine. had it with grilled lamb chops and risotto. had it alongside 2003 silver oak and it was not a fair contest. the shiraz was as smooth as one would want. tannins nicely relaxed. nice nose and fruit was robust. good finish on the palate. this bottle was consumed at the perfect time. hate to drink the last bottle, but will not wait as it cant possibly get better....

11/26/2009 - tewks wrote:

very crisp and light for a chardonnay. light on oak with citrus flavors. paired very well with lobster soup.

9/5/2009 - tewks wrote:

light bodied. fruity. quite pleasant but not a lot of depth. was very nice with pizza on the grill.

9/14/2008 - tewks wrote:

very nice cab. decent body and hint of sweetness on the palate. had with ribeyes, asparagus and roasted potatoes. was a very nice complement to the meal. not a big wine and not overpowering but well balanced with relaxed tannins. good fruit....

6/20/2008 - tewks wrote:

great complement to pizzas made on the grill....needs to open up some as acidity was strong but improved with just 10 minutes in the glass. nice color, fruit and body. very good addition to italian food. will be better with food than drinking alone.

6/17/2008 - tewks wrote:

very nice cab. lots of berry flavor. good nose and suprisingly smooth for its youth. decant for at least 30 minutes and you will be in for a real treat

6/14/2008 - tewks wrote:

quite nice. good balance and flavor. went well with strip steak.

5/17/2008 - tewks wrote:

very nice white. hint of apple on the nose and palate. light wine, was good with scallops served as first course. not sweet, but not overly dry. will work well with salad courses and as a cocktail wine as well. will be buying more.

5/18/2008 - tewks wrote:

very good wine. drank it as before dinner wine served with cheese hors d'eauvres. it was a good complement to the cheese. mellow and smooth. light enough to drink at beginning of evening but with enough structure and substance to savor.

5/18/2008 - tewks wrote:

opened my last two bottles last night. one was corked- the other decanted for two hours. served with pork in dijon sauce and vegetable tian. very good complement to the food. smoother and fuller than bottle 6 months ago. wish i had more

5/2/2008 - tewks wrote:

91 pts. beautiful color. good fruit and body. not a big cab but a great everyday wine.

12/11/2007 - tewks wrote:

nice, light burgundy. enjoyed a bottle with coq au vin and it complemented the meal nicely. berry flavor without much depth. refreshing on the palate.

11/30/2007 - tewks wrote:

outstanding. very smooth and approachable. depth of flavor. good finish. had chance to buy case and jumped on it. one of the best wines from california in any price bracket that i have had...

11/19/2007 - tewks wrote:

not a bad inexpensive chianti. have had the reserve and it is definitely worth the extra money, but this was fine for the homemade pizza and stuffed peppers. smoother than reported earlier.

10/12/2007 - tewks wrote:

very good bottle. smooth with full body. good fruit. prime drinking time for this wine

10/2/2007 - tewks wrote:

i decanted this for about 30 minutes before dinner. both at opening and at dinner it had what i would describe as heavy alcohol feel, smell. i see others describing it as perfume, but didnt appreciate scent. by end of dinner it was smoother. had another glass next day and it was much smoother.

9/3/2007 - tewks wrote:

had with steak off the grill. decanted for an hour. very smooth-tannins quite relaxed. nose was subdued and not as much fruit flavor as expected. i had hoped it would be more powerful.

9/3/2007 - tewks wrote:

drank a bottle with pizza and cigars with the boys playing pool. good accompaniment for that setting. smooth and pleasant, but not a wine to make the showpiece of the evening.

6/3/2007 - tewks wrote:

quite nice sangiovese. as good as most chiantis. very good with red sauces. smooth with good body.

1/13/2007 - tewks wrote:

nice wine, but not exceptional. opened at end of evening and did not let it breathe much. guests enjoyed, but i think with decanting it could be better

12/26/2006 - tewks wrote:

enjoyed with nice beef dish for christmas dinner. good nose, but not as big a wine as i expected. improved as it opened more. decanted for 1 hour and it actually opened more in glass.

12/18/2006 - tewks wrote:

did a vertical tasting with friends this weekend. all cinq cepages. did 99,00,01,02 and 03. the 2000 was the weakest of the group. general consensus was that there was no finish on the palate. fruit burst, but no depth or structure to this vintage. the 99 was the runaway winner. the 2001 compared favorably with the 99 and 02 shows promise. too early to tell much on 03.

12/18/2006 - tewks wrote:

made in california, but compares favorably with chiantis at higher prices. should improve in next year. very good balance and goes well with red sauced pastas.

12/18/2006 - tewks wrote:

nice everyday cabernet. it has good body for a modestly priced wine. tannins have softened and it should be consumed now.

12/17/2006 - tewks wrote:

good value chianti that goes well with red sauce pasta dishes. much better as the reserve than the standard of same vintage'