The SOMM Journal

June / July 2015

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{ SOMMjournal.com }  67 1998 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Lush and intense, showing juicy black-plum, cassis and spice. Savory, toasty and generous, with a long and complex palate." Daniel Bailey: "Despite the wetness of the vintage, this wine is expressive and, dare I say, extracted, with a deep concentration of color. Lush red and black fruits on the palate, with a pleasing mouthfeel and structure." Trey Beffa: "Much more subtle and soft than the 1997, with shades of earth, coffee and spice. Not a monster, but pleasing and ready to drink." Karen Moneymaker: "A touch bruised on the nose, which leads with strawberry compote and crushed rose petals. Caramelized sugar and red fruits on the palate, with just a touch of oak." Group rating: 93. Drink now –2025. 1999 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Chocolate and spice wrapped around ripe plum dominate the nose on this wine. Richly layered, juicy, long and complex." Daniel Bailey: "I struggled to find fruit or oak on the nose (even after many swirls). Concentrated in color, with little sign of its age." Trey Beffa: "Love the nose! Ripe, sweet fruit resonates with won- derful purity on the nose. Very balanced and long in the finish, with hints of spicy red-currants and cocoa powder." Karen Moneymaker: "Super spicy on the nose; plummy, dense and concentrated. Tannins are astringent and dusty. This wine is just a touch warm, and just a touch fat." Group rating: 96. Drink 2017–2030. 2001 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Ripe, round and dense wine, showing nuances of black plum, cherry cola and cassis. Rich and long, with hints of chocolate and earth." Daniel Bailey: "Dusty minerality and cherry-cola on the nose, with a medium concentrated core of red fruit. Tannins are muscu- lar and gripping, and the wine is dry and clean throughout. Finish is full of earth and tannin." Trey Beffa: "Dark cola aromas with just a hint of mint and sage. This is a big, sturdy Cab, which seems to be losing some of its 'baby fat.' Tannins are ripe, but firm with a mouth full of savory fruit and smoky meat." Karen Moneymaker: "Giving on the nose, with just a touch of bruised apple skin. Dense purple fruit and full-frontal cigar-box spice." Group rating: 94. Drink now–2020. 2002 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Racy and edgy with a deep concentration of color, this wine has good structure but may be going through a muted phase in regards to aromatics." Daniel Bailey: "Ripe, fleshy red-fruit on the nose with notes of rich black-cherry, fresh-turned earth and noticeable oak. Great mouthfeel, followed by an acidic and very long finish." Trey Beffa: "Classic CA Cab nose; very pure and direct, with lots of red fruit and cherry cola aromas. Shows a bit tight and compact on the palate. Tannins are firm, yet balanced." Karen Moneymaker: "High tone cherry on the nose with notes of talcum and graphite. Minty and fresh-cut green herbs on the palate balance out the dense, rich tannins and bright red-fruit aromas in this wine." Group rating: 91. Drink 2020 –2025. 2005 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Great texture and a lovely, rounded style with spice and toast on the nose. Smooth, lush and long on the finish." Daniel Bailey: "Fruit is young, but not tart, with traces of cherry, violets and cigar smoke. The finish is moderate, elegant and pleasing." Trey Beffa: "Lots of toast and meaty notes on the nose, with a fleshy, lush and exotic mouthfeel. Showing nicely, if a bit young, with all the elements to age well." Karen Moneymaker: "Fresh and balanced, with fruit that is 'just ripe' and almost tropical. Dynamic acidity, with oak that is present but well integrated." Group rating: 97. Drink now –2030. 2007 HILLSIDE SELECT Anthony Dias Blue: "Huge and luscious with ripe plum and blackberry on the palate. Powerful, balanced and youthful, this wine shows long-lived potential." Daniel Bailey: "Nose is powerful and savory, with oak and spicy fruit. Masculine and brooding, this wine is rich with cherry, rasp- berry and fig." Trey Beffa: "Very big wine with lots of stuffing. This wine has big tannins that are integrated but still grab you on the finish. Lots of potential to age; no rush to drink this wine." Karen Moneymaker: "Opaque and extracted, this wine is crammed full of baking cocoa, fig and ripe blackberry. Finish is long and just a touch dirty." Group rating: 97. Drink 2018 –2035. 2010 HILLSIDE SELECT current vintage; SRP $250 Anthony Dias Blue: "Deep, lush and driven by ripe black fruit (plum, blackberry and cherry). Vanilla and toast round out the palate." Daniel Bailey: "The palate of this wine is much more power- ful than its nose, with little substance in the aroma category. The mouthfeel is full of bright, rich fruits; blackberry, black cherry and ripe Bing cherry." Trey Beffa: "Very young but surprisingly open and fleshy. The fruit really shines through, balanced out by lots of tasty oak, chocolate and spice." Karen Moneymaker: "Youthful, grapey and fresh, with a mouth that is voluptuous and generous. Dusty tannins are rounded out by red pomegranate and cassis." Group rating: 96. Drink now –2040. "A magnificent wine that lives up to its reputation: a supreme example of a seamless blend of Napa power and elegance skillfully rendered." —Anthony Dias Blue

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