2016 Hill Family Barrel Blend Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2016 Hill Family Barrel Blend Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HILL FAMILY

BARREL BLEND
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Hill Family Barrel Blend Napa Valley Proprietary Red
One of the key elements that I look for in a wine is complexity, and Hill Family’s Barrel Blend has that and more. It’s a blend of nearly a dozen grape varieties and encompasses eight unique vineyards. Of course, complexity isn’t anything without balance. Fortunately for us, the blend was constructed by winemaker Alison Green Doran who worked under Andre Tchelistcheff at her father’s Simi winery and was also the winemaker at Lewis Cellars. It’s remarkably balanced and a stunning value at under $30.
 
Alison constructed the 2016 Barrel Blend around a core of 41% Merlot that’s heightened with ten other varieties. Each varietal plays harmoniously on the palate and fills in where others fall short, adding layers of flavors, textures, and aromas to the final blend. 
 
The winemaking team carved this 2016 vintage red from eight carefully chosen vineyards ranging from the valley floor to 1,200 feet elevation, and it comes from a vintage that the Wine Spectator ranks as the best since 1997. If you’re on the lookout for a charming, individualistic, complex red that won’t break the bank, this one is for you.
 
HILL FAMILY
BARREL BLEND
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at $32
 
Your Price: $29.99 
 
“Coming from multiple vineyards in the valley and mostly Merlot, the 2016 Barrel Blend offers loads of kirsch and blackberry fruits as well as complex spice and tobacco characteristics. It’s forward, charming, and straight-up delicious, and ideal for drinking over the coming 8-10 years.” 89 Points
 
“Hill Family’s 2016 Merlot-based Barrel Blend is big, juicy and full of up-front appeal. I would prefer to drink it on the early side in order to get the most out of the wine’s succulence and vibrant, racy fruit.”  89 Points
2015 Hill Family Estate Origin Proprietary Red

2015 Hill Family Origin Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HILL FAMILY  2015 Hill Family Estate Origin Proprietary Red

2015 ORIGIN
PROPRIETARY RED

 
If you’re a fan of California red blends, you’ve likely heard many being described as Bordeaux-styled.  It’s most commonly used a reference to the varietal makeup of the blend, and most often refers to Bordeaux’s “Top Five” which includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  Hill Family’s 2015 Origin Estate Blend is absolutely stunning and includes 4 of Top Five, but it’s completely Californian in style.  It’s purposefully created in a plush, enchanting style, with lavish, extracted flavors, ranging from intense dark fruits, complex spices and sweet vanilla.  The wine was crafted by talented winemaker Alison Green Doran who worked under legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at her father’s Simi winery, and was also the winemaker at Lewis Cellars.  Fans of rich, voluptuous Red Blends should be all over this one.
 
Rising from a blockbuster vintage in Napa Valley, and one Vinous describes as producing “opulent, voluptuous wines with real personality…” Hill Family’s 2015 Origin is a stunning specimen of the vintage.  Composed using fruit from seven vineyards, and ranging 4 appellations, the 2015 blend is built around a core of 47% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Malbec and Petit Verdot.  The wine was kept for 16 months in barrel and around 2 full years in bottle before release.  I highly recommend a case while supplies last.
 
HILL FAMILY
2015 ORIGIN
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “The 2015 Origin has lovely aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruit with dark roses. The broad entry has a big mouthful of berries and crunchy cherry. The ripe and intense mid palate rolls into more sweet fruit – blueberry, red currant, and plum, with some chewy tannins hanging around the edges.”
 
Customers who enjoy Hill Family Origin may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red
STEPS
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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Arising from Mountainous Vineyards, including Mount Veeder and Altas Peak, the 2015 is built around a core of nearly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, heightened with Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Simply stunning to swirl and taste, the 2015 was cave aged for nearly 24 months in high quality oak barrels.  Dramatic, thrilling and hedonistic are all excellent descriptors for the 2015StepsReserve and with a total production of only 150 cases, don’t let this one walk on by.
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.