Iconic, lifted-age-worthy.
At 20 years, Black Hill's Nota Bene is as influential as ever.
The 2018 vintage marks two decades since this iconic wine's creation, and while it remains consistently commanding, each vintage varies.
This year's version (49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) has a lifted and perfumed nose of black currents, plums, cherry and vanilla, dried violets, cedar chips, mocha, graphite and sagebrush. The attack is silky and grows more fleshy across the mid-palate and the finish is elongated. Sweet and savoury, toasted and intense, it offers flavours of wild berries, savoury spices, vanillin oak and licorice. Still youthful with traces of angularity, it will undoubtedly benefit from time in your cellar.
Bravo to new winemaker Ross Wise MW, for a seamless transition.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 21st, 2020