The flagship Nota Bene was first produced in 1999 and is the only wine, made from the same three varieties and from the same parcel in BC, since that time. Each vintage, the blend changes to reflect what's been happening in the vineyard and this year Black Hills hit a turning point. For the first time it's dominated by Merlot (57%) with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc. Because of this switch to Merlot dominance, it's more approachable upon release.
It is still a powerful wine and this vintage you can expect savoury notes of grilled jalapeno peppers and toasted brown spices atop cassis, red plums, dark mocha, pencil shavings and a potpourri of cedar chips and dried wildflowers. The palate is supple with generous fruit but still has a somewhat brooding character. Wild briary fruits, dark chocolate and espresso, toasted spices and pepper flavours dominate.
Another vintage with excellent structure and a long concentrated finish. Drink now to 2024.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 28th, 2014

The proprietary name Nota Bene may actually be more well-known than its maker and has long been the flagship wine of Black Hills. Each vintage, the blend changes to reflect what's been happening in the vineyard. This year it has about 10% more Cabernet as Merlot takes a smaller role (57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot & 11% Cabernet Franc).
It is a potent and powerful wine, which leads with aromas of cassis and black plum, tobacco, bittersweet mocha and brown spices and is rounded out with green olives and pepper. It has a supple palate with generous fruit underscored with savoury, meaty flavours. The finish is long, fresh and trails dark chocolate, coffee and spice flavours.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 19th, 2012

Rich, supple, significant.

The flagship Nota Bene was first produced in 1999 and is the only wine, made from the same three varieties and from the same parcel in BC, since that time. Each vintage, the blend changes to reflect what's been happening in the vineyard and this year is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot (2012 was Merlot dominant) and 11% Cabernet Franc. It was aged in 80% French/20% American oak - new, second and third fill.
The nose is fragrant, rich and chocolaty - layered with plums, wild black berries, spice cake, purple flowers, leather, pipe tobacco, Szechuan peppercorns and grilling red bell peppers. The palate is supple; berry liqueur flavours meld with mocha and smoked peppery spices. Fresh and youthful (but drinking well) with ripe tannins, significant weight and persistence.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 5th, 2015

Iconic, elegance, power.
At 22 years, Black Hill's Nota Bene is as influential as ever.
The 2020 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.
As impressed as I always am with this stalwart, the 2020, a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc along with 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, reaches a new level of phenomenal.
Beautifully balanced with lovely finesse, it doles out plush notes of chocolate, currants and black plums, cedar, vanilla liqueur, pipe tobacco and burlap with a sprinkling of dried oregano and sage. Like the nose, the palate is beautifully woven and supple. Flavours of anise pastilles, black fruit, vanilla, brown spice and cocoa nibs lead to an espresso finish with sooty tannins. It has elegance and power and while drinking well now, will certainly be a treasure for your cellar.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 2nd, 2022

Generous, supple, substantial
The 2014 Black Hills Nota Bene is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant with the addition of 33 percent Merlot and 15 percent Cabernet Franc. It is an undeniably complete flagship wine, proudly showing its pedigree of older vines and perceptive winemaking. Nota Bene is the only red blend in the Okanagan, which has been made from the same three varieties, from same parcel, each consecutive year, since 1999. Additionally, this vintage spent six months longer in oak than previous ones - an evolutionary modification Black Hills' winemaker Graham Pierce believes will extend the wine's age-ability.

It exhibits plush aromas of chocolate, black raspberry and wild currents, vanilla, licorice and baking spice, which is lifted with a breath of mint to add brightness and is juxtaposed with leather and pipe tobacco to keep it in all in check. The palate is all that and more; supple weight, generous fruit, structure and balance. The tannins are powdery and add pleasing texture. It is a substantial yet chic red, aptly woven and integrated, boasting a lengthy mocha finish.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 2nd, 2016