88POINTS
16/20
Black Hills Nota Bene 1999
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. The 1999 was a peppery, spicy, earthy tobacco affair and now it’s a dry, peppery, tarry, licorice tobacco affair, almost Barolo-like, showing signs of oxidation. We noted it was nearly mature in 2004 so it is no surprise where it’s at today. A curiosity at best that needs drinking. The blend 64% merlot, 26% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc was bottled with 13 percent alcohol. Winemaker Rusty FigginsTasted: 05 November 2017Tasted by: Prices:BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc