2014 Hall Cab-Sauv and Aging Discussion Review
This was part of Darryl's binge on HEB's AN EXTRA 10% OFF ON ALL CABS sale otherwise I probably wouldn't be writing this review right meow. However I'm glad I took a chance because I really liked it.
I've had some of Hall's other offerings - they are a pretty large operation and put out a substantial amount of wine - and I think this one is probably the best value overall (they've got some pretty pricey bottles). I'm honestly not going to bother with notes and all that shit because I want to discuss something below - in short, if you try this wine you will like it. Solid drinker to have with a steak while you watch Jerseylicious.
As I researched what others had to say about this wine I saw a couple mentions of keeping this wine 15-20 years [queue Russian accent] - its no problem. I am here to tell you that I do not think American wines keep as well, FOR THAT DURATION, as European wines. That is my experience and you can debate/fight me if you want but I just truly do not believe they handle that aging as well.
Various raters out there will tell you what the optimal range is for consumption of the wine and with American wines I tend to drink them at the earlier part of that range. For example, this wine has a drink range of now - 2032. If I were holding it (and you should as I think this particular wine will be baller in 2-3 years) I would drink it around 2021-2025.
As you can see I'm fully supportive that the wine will handle a solid aging but I'm just not as sold in its peak drinking time being the end of the suggested range. I sure hope the American wines continue to make strides in this area because that is what, I believe, will give them the accolades and clout they deserve from a world-wide stage.
Take my recommendation for what its worth though - I'm just a guy in a sweet tank top featuring a cat on a surf board.