Wine Shop | 2021 HALL Exzellenz Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes

Our 2021 Exzellenz opens with deep, integrated, complex aromas of blackberry, graphite, and freshly turned earth. Blue and black fruit flavors dominate the palate and are accompanied by notes of dusty earth and spice. Plentiful, ripe, tannin cascades into a silky, sweet midpalate and a very decadent and voluptuous finish.

Blackberry
Graphite
Blue Fruit
Black Fruit

Vineyard notes

Sacrashe Vineyard

Located just above the eastern edge of the Rutherford appellation at 790 feet, Sacrashe provides a profound expression of what hillside Cabernet Sauvignon can be.

Challenging Soil Conditions

Extremely limiting volcanic tuff soils are mixed with rock and lie over a structure of bedrock. These challenging conditions yield fruit that is rich, dense, earthy, and opulent.

Unique Climate

The cooling effects of Lake Hennessey, combined with southern sun exposure, result in additional berry complexity that is reflected in the wine's dense fruit flavors.

Wine Facts

The goal here is dark black fruit, power, chewy tannin, and a focused palate. Our Sacrashe Estate vineyard is hidden atop the eastern ridge of the Vaca Mountain Range in Rutherford. With extremely limiting volcanic tuff soils and gentle sloping aspects, this vineyard yields fruit that is always rich, dense, earthy, and opulent - it possesses a purity of focus and dense tannic structure.

Bottle Size

750ml

Varietal Composition

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Barrel Aging

28 Months in 75% New French Oak

Vineyard Designation

100% Sacrashe Estate Vineyard

Appellation

Rutherford

Vintage Notes

The alluring 2021 vintage is notable for its low yields, which resulted in an extra degree of concentration in our wines. In a second year of severe drought, the vines grew quickly in the warm spring weather while our team carefully managed irrigation block by block. By summer, the vines had set a lighter than average crop, and cooler weather in August allowed time for multiple vineyard passes to finetune the fruit load and manage the canopy. After a smooth harvest season, we are excited about the beautifully balanced, flavor-packed 2021's.