Kathryn Walt Hall has a most impressive resume. To touch on just a few of the high points, she is the proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines [family businesses she has been involved with for over thirty years], was assistant city attorney in Berkeley, California, worked as an attorney and businesswoman in Dallas, Texas, and has served on numerous non-profit and institutional boards, with an emphasis on issues related to social care and mental health. From 1997 to July 2001, Ms. Hall served as the United States Ambassador to Austria. In the midst of this, together with her husband Craig she has raised four children.
HALL estate wines hail from five vineyards: Sacrashe (Rutherford), Bergfeld (St. Helena), Hardester (Napa Valley), Atlas Peak Estate, (Atlas Peak), and T Bar T Ranch (Alexander Valley). From these 500 acres come classic Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. In each vineyard, small-vine farming is employed to produce low-yield, high-concentration fruit.
Reflecting Kathryn Hall’s long record of progressive activism, the winery is dedicated to environmental responsibility. Only natural products are used for weed and pest control, and the vineyards are certified organic. The farming operations use 50% bio-diesel fuel to reduce carbon emissions.
The St. Helena winery qualified for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System, and was the the first in California to earn LEED Gold Certification.™
Finally, A portion of all business profits is donated to charity via the Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation.
HALL Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
This blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot is a nearly opaque, deep garnet in the glass. It was aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The fruit was sourced from throughout Napa Valley. While not as terroir-driven as a single-vineyard bottling, it is arguably more complete and versatile.
The nose carries the expected blackberry and blueberry aromas, with cassis and ripe plum. There is alcohol too, expected with this wine’s 15.4% ABV.
These aromas continue on the palate, joined by cocoa and a bit of nutmeg. The wine is both powerful and polished, with a core of ripe fruit supported by structured, mouth-coating tannins, well-integrated oak. and balanced acidity. It features a medium to full body and a long, silky finish.
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