March 22, 2019 - Unfortunately this bottle was not showing well. Though old Hanzell wine exceeds my expectations more often than not, this was not one of them.
January 12, 2019 - Purchased from the winery in 2015. We double decanted this at 11 am and served it at the parent’s table (and to a few others) at my daughter’s Wedding representing my new son-in-law’s birth year. Like all Hanzell wines this needs lots of time to breathe and when it gets it just right it is a totally different wine experience than PnP. This wine was ethereal. The nose was magnificent with floral elements of violets and lavender, black and dark red fruit, leather, cedar, eucalyptus and chocolate in complex layers. The same with the palate and the mouth feel was rich and chewy yet by no means flabby. The finish lasted a minute or more. I don’t know if this was just an extraordinary bottle or what but I do have another bottle that will have to await an opportunity to have both my son and son-in-law who were both born in 1982 present, which may be some time off given the fact my son lives on the opposite coast. Spectacular!
August 7, 2016 - Popped and poured. Cork was dry and crumbled. Really nice. This bottle had plenty of years left in it. Mature Ca cabernet that showed it best tonight. Wish I could find more iof these.
October 21, 2013 - Second time trying this wine, courtesy of oskiwawa. Nice nose of red fruits, tobacco, hints of cedar, and mint. On the palate nice red currant and cherry flavors with hints of tobacco. Decent finish, still has a bit left. At this age, only great bottles, not quite as full of stuffing as the last bottle.
October 19, 2013 - CT Offline VI--San Antonio Edition (San Antonio, TX): Exceptionally well balanced. Smooth, full of cigar box, cedar, pepper, and with just the right amount of tannin and fruit for a wine this age. Not hugely fruity (still got some from this tasting though), but exactly what a well-aged Cab should be--powerful, spicy, yet refined and graceful. Will last for several more years, but can certainly drink now.
May 19, 2012 - Tasted double blind in a lineup of 13 wines from the 1980's. Nose of cassis and heat. On the palate it had cassis, cedar, tart cherries, vanilla and hints of leather and sherry. Medium length finish with mint and tart cherries. Medium-firm tannins. Hold 3+ years.
May 19, 2012 - CT Offline IV--Hill Country Edition; 5/18/2012-5/19/2012 (Austin / Texas Hill Country / Castleman Ranch): Tons of exuberant dark berry fruit. Blue and blackberry for sure, smooth, fresh, almost minty. Still some vegetal tastes for sure (bit of very fresh green pepper), but also has great fruit and acidity showing this one has a long life ahead of it. Not tired a tall--will last for a long time. Really love this wine!
May 19, 2012 - CT Texas IV - Saturday Afternoon Double Blind Tasting (Holiday Inn Express, Ranch Road, Austin, TX): WIML92
Tasted double blind. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet color in the glass, dusty looking throughout. Nose of Kirsch, white pepper, varnish and plum. Flavors of berries and raspberries. Tart acidity, medium tannins, full bodied. Drink now.
May 19, 2012 - CT Texas IV - A Hill Country Treat; 5/18/2012-5/19/2012 (Austin, Texas): Number one in a great lineup of blind 80's wines. No doubt that this was a California cab, I thought it was an 87 Beringer (my only guess). Great nose of red currants, tobacco, hints of mint, leather. On the palate, bright red cherry, tobacco, leather, and mint. Very very nice. Most of the wines in this lineup were great with only minor differences separating the wines.
August 21, 2011 - Hanzell Dinner at Heirloom Cafe: A siren-song bouquet introduces sophisticated mouth sensations of nature respected. Spectacular, with deep cherry, olives, fresh cigar, and mushrooms on the nose and mouth, then cassis, green pepper, and mulling spices; completely integrated and overflowing.