2010 HALL Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece
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Tasting notes
(15.5% alcohol; 75% new oak): Good bright ruby-red. Reticent, lively nose offers cassis, licorice, mint and bitter chocolate, plus a touch of exotic oak. Creamy, seamless and densely packed; surprisingly sweet after the laid-back nose, with a lot of sweet oak influence, but not yet expressing itself. Finishes with supple, building tannins and an exotic oak quality that's nicely buffered by the wine's rich, pliant fruit.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece is one of the cooler, more inward wines in this lineup of 2010 Cabernets. Melted road tar, graphite, pencil shavings and black currants are all supported by clean veins of minerality and acidity. Violet and menthol overtones appear later, adding further complexity to the long, delineated finish. The 2010 is a bit clenched today, but it will soften with another few years in bottle.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Jack’s Masterpiece is one of the cooler, more inward wines in this lineup of 2010 Cabernets. Melted road tar, graphite, pencil shavings and black currants are all supported by clean veins of minerality and acidity. Violet and menthol overtones appear later, adding further complexity to the long, delineated finish. The 2010 is a bit clenched today, but it will soften with another few years in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. Once again, I tasted a large number of wines from Hall this year. The 2010s are off the charts, and a big step up from the more inconsistent 2009s. A meticulous approach to vineyard and cellar work, including organic farming, native fermentations and malos, and the avoidance of fining and/or filtration informs wines of true pedigree and personality. The Hall wines are unapologetically big, powerful and exceptionally well balanced. Tel. (707) 967-2629