Black Hills Nota Bene 2014

92POINTS

17/20

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis note comes from a 17-wine vertical tasting held in Osoyoos, British Columbia on Saturday September 30. Each of the bottles tasted were in good physical condition although clearly some of the older, formative years are now past their best. Working through 17 vintages of Nota Bene makes it clear that better viticulture, older grapes vines, new facilities and better wine knowledge has improved the all-round quality of the current Nota Bene labels when compared to its humbler beginnings. A brooding black hue, this vintage of Black Hills' iconic Note Bene is another evolution in style. Now in its sixteenth vintage, it is gifted (wisely) an additional six months of barrel aging, with the aim for that extra layer of integration and softening of the massive tannin this wine carries in youth. It sure looks like a win to me, though the best years of this wine's life are yet to come. The 52/33/15 blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc (all Oliver estate fruit) at 14.9 percent alcohol is tightly wound but with dense, sweet tannins and plenty of smoky roasted black cherry fruits. This needs a decade in the bottle or a three hour decant before serving it with lamb or venison. Winemaker Graham Pierce.Tasted: 05 November 2017Tasted by: Prices:

$53.00

750ml

winery direct and private wine shops

Producer: Black Hills Estate WineryDistributors: Andrew Peller Import Agency
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 708073UPC: 62990061533

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90POINTS

16^½/20

Black Hills Nota Bene 2014

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThey are giving Nota Bene more time in wood to help better resolve the tannins and allow the blend to better knit itself before heading to bottle. The 2014 is aged in a mix of French and 20 percent American oak, the latter added to presumably further open up the wine. At first nosing, the 52/33/15 blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc (all Oliver estate fruit) presents a fairly tight picture. Savoury, black pepper, cassis notes preview a giant red wine with warm, super spicy, black fruit and coffee notes that finish, long and warm. The tannins are rich, though not all that hard, adding a lushness to the warm, plum/raisin/blackcurrant fruit flavours. A blockbuster that will appeal to those who love the richer, more boisterous style of red blend. Lamb is the required protein to tame this bottle now. Cellar five to seven years for best results.Tasted: 03 October 2016Tasted by: Prices:

$53.00

750ml

winery direct and private wine shops

Producer: Black Hills Estate WineryDistributors: Andrew Peller Import Agency
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 708073UPC: 62990061533

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89POINTS

16^¼/20

Black Hills Nota Bene 2014

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA brooding black hue, this vintage of Black Hills' iconic Note Bene is, once again, an evolution in style. Now in its sixteenth vintage, it is gifted (wisely) an additional six months of barrel aging, with the aim for that extra layer of integration and softening of the massive tannin this wine carries in youth. I reckon it's a win, though the best years of this wine's life are coming. Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc from their Oliver estate spent time in French and American barrels (one third of which was new) which is evident in the smoked, roasted meat notes present here. Charred branch, cassis, roasted coffee and mushroom are presented via lightly grippy wood-hewn tannin and livened with a potent carnation / poppy note, colouring the sun-ripened cherry and currant fruit. Full-bodied and severe, this needs a good decant now before pairing with game or lamb shank.Tasted: 03 October 2016Tasted by: Prices:

$53.00

750ml

winery direct and private wine shops

Producer: Black Hills Estate WineryDistributors: Andrew Peller Import Agency
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet FrancCSPC: 708073UPC: 62990061533

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