Iconic, concentrated, brooding.
At 23 years, Black Hill's Nota Bene is as influential as ever.
The 2021 vintage marks more than two decades since this iconic wine's creation, and while it remains consistently commanding, each vintage varies.
There is a reason people rejoice in Nota Bene's annual release - vintage after vintage you can depend on Black Hills to offer one of the most consistently viable expressions of an outstanding BC red blend.
2021 was a hot vintage, which doesn't always mean great things for wine. Black Hills has released a guide to go with the vintage, which not only includes a "drink or hold" cellaring adviser, but a note on how to cellar and why.
Winemaker Ross Wise MW, "...this was one of the most challenging vintages to date due to the extreme heat. The timing of harvest in order to maintain freshness was both critical and paramount in his decision making. For reference, the heat accumulation for 2021 ranks with the 2015 and 2003 vintages for parallels."
Blend: 42% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.

It's a brooding wine with notes of pencil shavings and plum, black raspberry, dark chocolate and savoury spices are underscored by charred licorice, espresso, leather, beef jerky, and wild black berries. The palate echoes the nose; olives and black fruit, prune, scorched earth and toasted spice, black chocolate and coffee flavours dominate. There is a tanginess in the mouth and it's highly concentrated.
Recommend cellaring up to 2035.
I tasted after opening and again after 24 hours.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 26th, 2023