Black Hills hits a hat trick of home runs with new stuff

Holy mixed sports metaphors, Batman! A hat trick of home runs makes no sense. I guess if someone hit three home runs in a row, baseball announcers would call that "back-to-back-to-back-Jacks" but that's just silly and I am not a baseball guy anyway so I'm sticking with the hat trick.

Anyhoo.......this year, Black Hills produced three wines we weren't expecting. Two of them were completely new and one of them was a second vintage of a wine that was first produced last year and we thought would be a one-year wonder.

And man, did they ever back-to-back-to-back-Jack the heck out of these wines.

They were debuted at this year's Nota Bene release party, which we missed for the first time in a few years....we won't miss it again!

Black Hills 2015 Alias ($21.65)

43% Riesling, 43% Pinot Gris, 14% Gewurztraminer

Beautiful aromas of pineapple, apple and white flowers. Intoxicating. Pear and apple on the palate with a touch of slate, grapefruit and tropical fruit. We enjoyed this on the patio with no food at all but it would pair beautifully with any spicy or seafood dishes. A real treat. 91.




Black Hills 2014 Per Sé ($43.39)

75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Syrah

This was produced last year to fill out orders for their club members to make up for a bit of a shortfall in their Carmenere production. At the time, we thought it was a one-year deal. Thank CHRIST it wasn't.

Black fruits, forest floor, bell pepper and mint on the nose. Beautiful palate featuring black cherry, cocao, smoke and cigar box. Finishes well. What an absolutely beautiful bottle of wine and one that I hope they continue to produce every year. 93.

Certainly that had to be the best bottle, no?

 No.

Black Hills 2014 Ipso Facto ($43.39)

A first-time blend of 52% Syrah, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Oh my.

Dark fruits, vanilla and a touch of licorice tease your olfactory senses. The palate is complex with a decadent mixture of blueberry, cherry cola and coffee. Full bodied with a spectacular finish. What a treat for a brand new wine. Who knows what heights this might reach? 94.


Typing up this blog post reminds me that I better order some more before it's gone!

These guys rarely make a misstep. Nice to be a member of a wine club that you know is going to provide you with delicious wine year after year.

Next up: It's catch-up time, I have so many notes on great wines that we've enjoyed in the last couple of month. Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride!