William Hill Estate Bench Blend 2013
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
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Blend: 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petite Sirah, 18% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The other wine that stood out for me was William Hill’s 2013 Bench Blend Proprietary Red, which is composed of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petite Sirah, 18% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. This large cuvée of just over 4,100 cases is outstanding. Deep blackcurrant and blackberry fruit intermixed with some loamy soil undertones, pepper, and forest floor are all present in this opaque ruby/purple, full-bodied wine. It was aged 18 months in 40% new French oak and is drinking beautifully already, but will last for at least another 4-5 years. This is the sleeper selection in the William Hill Estate lineup as far as I’m concerned.
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Wine Enthusiast
The largest proportions of this blend are taken up by Cabernet Sauvignon (41%) and Petite Sirah (31%), with additions of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Together they make for a succulently juicy red, with an underpinning of subtle tannin and oak. The flavors are more red fruit and savory herb than black fruit or brooding body.
Other Vintages
2014-
Wine
Enthusiast
For nearly 40 years, William Hill Estate Winery has crafted rich and expressive Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other Bordeaux varietal wines from select vineyards in Napa Valley and the California coast. The collection of wines are rooted in the character of the unique, rolling hills of the 200-acre estate in the heart of the Silverado Bench in Napa Valley, crafted through the vision of winemaker Mark Williams, thoughtful vineyard planning and meticulous attention in the cellar.
Experience William Hill Estate Winery in the tasting room and discover another side of Napa Valley. A place where extraordinary vineyards are tucked away along the serene Silverado Trail, a place where you can still discover an incredible wine for the first time, a Napa Valley that is off the beaten path.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.