2013 Hall "Kathryn Hall" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall from Napa is another blockbuster, exhibiting an opaque bluish purple color, notes of charcoal, graphite, blackberry, chocolate and exotic spices, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long, long finish. Like most 2013s, it is just hinting at its ultimate potential, but this wine is loaded and exciting. Forget it for another 4-5 years and drink it over the following three decades. (RP)” (12/2016)

“This wine is made to highlight the vintage and best vineyards, relying heavily on the producer’s top-end site, Sacrashe. A hugely constructed wine, bold and brawny, it also manages to be soft and velvety, allowing for a greater contribution of savory elements than sweet, from leather to black pepper to Mexican chocolate. It pushes the boundaries on decadence in mysterious ways. (VB)” (02/2017)

“Richness rather than restraint is the watchword here, and the wine definitely inclines to ripeness, but its tilt does nothing to compromise its expression of very deep and unfettered Cabernet fruit. Dense, big in body, fleshy and tannic but still a bit brooding and far from evolved, this one ends with a rush of astringency, yet its abiding fruit steps up at the finish and dispels any concern that it might dry up and become austere as it ages. It has the substance and structure of a wine meant for keeping, and, if five years would seem the minimum wait, we suspect that ten will be better.” (04/2016)

“Offering aromas of opulent blackberry, plum and currant, this is floral, tightly focused and delivers ample fruit intensity and purity on the palate. Ripe, fine-grained tannins and juicy dark berry details grace the finish. (JL)” (11/2016)

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall is dark, powerful and juicy. Raspberry jam, mocha, new leather and dark spices, along with supple, forward fruit give the Kathryn Hall its soft, succulent personality. This is one of the more approachable, racy 2013 Cabernets readers will come across. Silky tannins add to the wine's finesse and texture. (AG)” (12/2016)