Hermit On The Hill

St Innocent Winery

Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Initially a bit closed, after two hours in the decanter this really opens up. Black cherry and sage come through on the nose and continue onto the palate with additional notes of cassis, bay leaf, and cloves. Has a persistent finish with herbs, spice, and black tea lingering on the palate. The herbal and spice flavors were really vibrant when paired with basil pesto pasta and mushrooms. Medium+ acidity, medium+ body, and medium tannins. This is the 2021 vintage. — 16 days ago

Tom, Neil and 5 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Joel Lara Nice write-up. This is consistently their most difficult Pinot offering to "figure out." Oodles of subtleties vs a few markers/demonstrative tendencies. NOT for the average Pinot Noir drinker.
Joel Lara

Joel Lara

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego that’s interesting because as I was drinking it I was thinking about how different it was to a lot of pinots I’ve had. The savory elements are not as loud as they are in other good pinots, but I still found them an intriguing backdrop to the beautiful fruit. The tannin really helped add some complexity on the finish too. I also bought a 2019 Temperance Hill, so looking forward to seeing how that compares.

Grosset

Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2016

Paraffin notes on the nose, lemon and lime notes on the palate. Took a while to open up, interesting bottle at almost a decade under screw cap. At 10 Greek St on their LBB list — 5 months ago

Ira liked this

Rutherford Hill

Napa Valley Merlot 2021

The Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (2021) reveals a deep ruby core with subtle garnet reflections, suggesting youthful vibrancy with potential for short-term development. The nose is precise and layered, offering blackberry and raspberry fruit interwoven with cedar nuances, indicative of measured oak influence.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with light acidity that enlivens the fruit profile while maintaining balance.

Tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, supporting a bright structural framework that lends clarity and poise.

The finish is clean and persistent, marked by freshness rather than weight, making this a versatile companion to dishes such as roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or semi-hard cheeses.
— 7 months ago

Chappellet

Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

hour decant(decent sediment).  A still dark garnet with bricking.   On the nose:  subtle notes of dark fruit, licorice, tobacco, forest floor, herbaceous, olive brine, mocha java.  Taste:  silky, layered, creamy wine with blackberry/dark plum, tobacco, baking spice, mocha java, earth, minerals, dried herbs and a long dry finish.  YUM!! — 2 days ago

Tom, Rick and 6 others liked this

St Innocent Winery

Dijon Clone Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, cinnamon notes, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — 4 months ago

Andrew and Paul liked this

Chalk Hill

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023

Barrel aged 10 months sur lie! Medium lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with notes of warm baking spice. On the palate ripe apple and lemon flavors with vanilla and nutty toasty oak. Well balanced on medium finish ending, a bit buttery with slight oak and mineral notes. Drink now! — 5 months ago

Tom and Paul liked this

Moshin Vineyards

Halo's Hill Pinot Noir 2013

We had the 2013 Vintage on 5/9-10/26. Excellent! Tastes of black cherry, baking spice, and black raspberry, tea as well. Silky mouth feel. Medium bodied and fruit forward. A real good offering from Moshin. — 9 days ago

Stony Hill

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Refreshing and good mouthfeel, it was lacking in depth, length and on the simple side. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Hermes and 3 others liked this

Kistler

Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Some lift on mid-palate with acid on finish. I’ll allow it. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister, Dave and 18 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Can still taste the 1988 vintage.

Chalk Hill

Estate Bottled Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2023

A Fav! Medium+ lemon color with aromas of stone fruits, spice, floral, cedar, biscuits and citrus. On the palate flavors of apple, pear & ripe apricot with citrus zest, honeysuckle and nutty toasty oak notes, rich with creamy tones. Smooth, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit and integrated creamy oak. Nice! — 6 months ago

Juan and Paul liked this