Second Hall cab this week, but this one is notably different from the Stags Leap District from a few days ago. It’s also younger (2021) and the grapes come from further north (Calistoga area, etc.).
Fun aside: the label art — like many Hall labels — features a piece of art that’s viewable at their St. Helena winery, and it happens to be one of my favorites (a large-format piece made of index cards in various reds).
Nose comes in with bright red and black fruits, and a stronger hint of alcohol than I’m used to, even after some air and some time.
This wine is more medium-bodied than I expected — medium-full? — there’s a balance between the brightness and the tannins, which are like velcro on the tongue. I picked up more of those red and black fruits, a fair amount of oak, peppery notes, and a hint of tobacco that gets deeper throughout the finish. I found that this wine benefited from more air than some of the cabs in my regular rotation, and the second glass was much more enjoyable than the first.
The finish is lengthy, and more of the dark / earthy flavors linger (versus the fruit).
Paired with ribs and a homemade sweet barbecue sauce made with cherry soda syrup; this ended up being an excellent balance to those oak, pepper, and tobacco notes.
by ultravioletneon