2013 HARTWELL ‘h’ PROPRIETARY RED, STAGS LEAP DISTRICT

Incredibly fabulous… and a wine that rocked me to the core when I tasted it.   This riveting and gorgeously proportioned blend was authored by esteemed winemaker Benoit Touquette.   As winemaker at Realm, Benoit has numerous 100 point wines under his belt and is one of Napa Valley’s rising stars.  Perfectly expressing Stags Leap terroir, the 2013 Hartwell “h” unfolds layer after layer of blueberry liqueur, chocolate dipped raspberries, espresso roast, dried violets and scorched earth.  Unloading $100/btl quality at $39.99/btl, I would pin this wine up against ANY Napa Valley Blend under fifty per bottle, and I’m certain if you taste it, you’ll add it to your short list of favorites.

After tasting through 70 wines, some really good, some underwhelming, this wine immediately hit the reset button on my palate, caressing it with unending layers of ripe berries, crème de cassis, sweet black cherries, white flowers and subtle meats.  A glorious merger of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot, aged for 15 months in French oak, it’s nearly impossible to describe how good this wine is…

Ground Shipping Included on ANY Mixed 15 bottle Case to Some States