in pursuit of the juiciest wine: day thirty-six

I’ve been laying out Redactions: Poetry & Poetics lucky issue 13 for most of the day today. I’m nearly done. In the issue is a wonderful poet from Napa, CA. I was jealous when I saw she lived there, but now I’m going to make her jealous. I’m going to drink Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 from Napa Valley, CA.

The other day I Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, and I fell in love. It was the best wine I’ve had in a long, long time. I was going to get it again, despite the price, but when I saw the last bottle of 2005, I changed my mind. I had to try the 2005 and compare it with the 2006.

I like the red, wax-stamp blotch on the label. That, as far as I can tell, indicates 2005. The squiggly lines or intertwined grape vines indicate 2006.

(Reminder: This Hall is Craig and Kathryn Hall. It’s not Robert Hall.)

So here we go with the 2005. I doubt it will be as good as the 2006, but here goes.

Allons-y.

The meniscus is not transparent. That means it’s mature or close to it. The wine itself is dark purple that’s about 97.5% opaque.

It has a nose of menthol and cigarette smoke. Hey, who was smoking when they made this wine? I also get ripe cherries. It’s such an interesting nose. There’s one dominant smell I’m trying to identify. Nutmeg. Figs. Musky. (My girlfriend says it smells manly and like a cologne.)

It’s spicy. It’s thin for Cabernet Sauvignon. And it’s slippery or oily.

Spicy and tart finish. The finish is reminiscent of the Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, which I tried the other day, too. And on the long finish, a bit bitter.

This certainly is not as good as the 2006. It’s on par with the just mentioned Rutherford.

It’s definitely not worth spending $40 or even the $30 sale price currently at Mahan’s. For $10, it’s good. I just don’t like the finish. Maybe it will change with more time and food, but, I’m meh on this.//