Hill Family Estate Origin Napa Valley Red 2018
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Label image from 2016
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Alec and Vivianna joined us for a quiet Christmas eve dinner. As newlyweds they visited Hill Family Estate during their forest fire shortened honeymoon in Napa in September year before last. They visited the new estate winery, located just minutes south of Yountville just off the highway. They tasted this label there and continue to acquire it as part of their wine club allocation.
Hill Family Estate produced their first wines in 2001, a Merlot and this red blend called Origin.
Today, the Hill Family owns 120 acres of vineyards with a properties on Atlas Peak, in Carneros, Oak Knoll and American Canyon. They are 100% family-farmed, family-owned and family-operated. Production ranges between 9,000 to 12,000 cases annually sourced from 12 different estate vineyards allowing them to select the highest quality fruit for their wines.
The Hill family began to select and plant their own vineyards in the 1980’s, using their intimate knowledge of the diversity of Napa Valley terroir - the range of microclimates, soil variations and the many subtle growing factors which influence the characteristics of the grape and the resulting quality of wine. They planted Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, AlbariƱo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in the Carneros appellation. They planted Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Oak Knoll district, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah at 1,500 feet elevation near Atlas Peak; both areas with a perfect environment to develop the rich berry flavor and intense fruit color that make these red wines some of the best in the world.
Origin is their Bordeaux blend crafted from the vineyards that Doug Hill farms in the cooler areas of southern
Napa.comprising Bordeaux varietals with some Syrah, sourced from Hill Family estate vineyards - Merlot at
Beau Terroir in Carneros, and Beau Terre in Oak
Knoll for structure and plushy fruit, Malbec from
the Baker Vineyard has become a big part of the palate structure for
Origin with its big color and lower tannins while the Atlas Peak
Cabernet Sauvignon adds dignity and structure while Petit Verdot adds texture to balance the Malbec. The Syrah adds depth and color and bold fruit that complements the Merlot.
Ironically, Alec brought and we had this same label from the 2016 vintage last year at Christmas dinner. Tonight, this was rounder, fuller and brighter with its addition of Syrah, and anchor of predominant Merlot vs. the Cabernet.
Winemaker notes: The 2018 Origin has lovely aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and
vanilla. The broad entry has a big mouthful of berry jam, and the palate
is full bodied and smooth, expressing the plums and cherry while adding
a hint of mocha on the very drinkable finish.
According to the Red Club Winter Allocation Release Mailer accompanying the shipment, this is a blend of 37% Merlot, 29% Malbec, 16% Syrah, 13% Petit
Verdot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from Napa Valley Appellation.
Dark inky blackish purple colored, full bodied, bold full round complex concentrated structured but nicely integrated and balanced to be approachable, black berry, cherry and plum fruits with spicy cigar box, and hints of dark bitter mocha chocolate on a bright tangy big lingering finish.
RM 93 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3814124
https://www.hillfamilyestate.com/
@HFEWine
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