Herman Story, Casual Encounters, Santa Barbara County

Classic HS bruiser. Heavy and intense with dark fruit, herbs, mint, and something savory. Also has a very interesting funky note that gives it an old world characteristic. Very very nice!

2020 vintage

Selected this wine just before dinner so it was a PnP - with the second glass better than the first. The color was a deep dark purple to a faded rim. Lots of dark fruits and some spice on the nose. The medium bodied palate revealed a bowl of dark red, blue and black fruits with lots of spice and some pepper. The acidity was juicy but enough to balance all the fruit, and the tannins were completely integrated. This …

2013 vintage

Pnp; nose is dark chocolate, ripe black berries, dense and dark new leather, slight green note. Palate has cherry liqueur, grape leaf, dusty patent leather, baking spice, cocoa powder, cola, a little heat but it’s so rich and balanced that it works. Great choice with anything grilled and fatty. Not for the faint of heart. If you like early 2000s Pax Syrahs this will also be up your alley.

2013 vintage

Another great one. Very heavy full bodied. Went great with smoked ribeye

2020 vintage

Decanted for 30 minutes which allowed some funk to blow off and to separate out some sediment. The color was a deep dark purple. Dark fruits, spice and earth on the nose. The medium to plus bodied palate showed black cherry, blackberry, black currant, and plum along with spice, earth and a touch of pepper. The acidity was lively and balancing while there was just a touch of some drying tannins on the finish. This wine should continue to hold.

2013 vintage

Final bottle, last had this wine about 2 yrs ago. I feel like this full-bodied wine is getting a bit tired as it ages, and to add insult to injury, there is unfortunately some cork taint on this bottle. Drink these up.

2013 vintage

Delicious GSMT blend. Ready to drink now, showing bright red cherries, old leather glove, tobacco, soil and even raspberries. Very nice, big ole red, love HS wines for value and deliciousness factor. Drink now through 2023.

2013 vintage

Viscus murky dark garnet color. Aromas of blackberry syrup and alcohol. Earthy blackberry and leather flavors with some tannin on the finish. High octane.

2013 vintage

Drank alongside a Sine Qua Non Raven syrah (that was a treat!). And let me tell you, this held its own quite impressively. I would say that this score (93) would be within one or two points of the Sine Qua Non. The H.S.Casual Encounters is a GSM blend, and showed a bit more fruit and a touch more "New World" style than the Raven. This wine is drinking wonderfully right now. Decanted about 30 minutes, enjoyed over the evening. …

2013 vintage

JP-8, full boar red. Yee-haw

2013 vintage

Decanted 1/2 hr. Dark fruit nose. Big, smooth, consistent tastes of dark fruits, dark cherry with a bit of chocolate. Delicious.

2013 vintage

Still drinking great with years left. One of my favorites from HS.

2013 vintage

45% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 2% Tannat Aged 24 months in 60% New French oak. Decanted prior to note. Scents of char grilled meats and smoked brisket fold into notes of cracked black pepper, smashed marionberry, wild huckleberry and lingonberry with nuances of violet pastilles, camphor, rosemary, lavender, old fashion bitters, cigar box and touches of overgrown forest and espresso. The palate is homogeneous and shows firm-full tannins, moderate acidity and alcohol. Flavors reveal a mix of blackberries, black …

2013 vintage

I found this wine still primary and years away from development, assuming it will overcome its bitterness and strong tannic structure. Hold and hope it softens.

2013 vintage

Wonderful. Sadly the final bottle for me of this vintage.

2013 vintage

Fantastic wine. Perhaps, perfect?

2013 vintage

Yum! Lush and wonderful full mouth feel.

2013 vintage

PnP; nose is soo deep and intriguing. Concentrated cherry and strawberry with hints of violets and herbs; I could smell this all day. Palate is big but mineral-y and not too fruity, more violet and faint hints of tobacco. Tannins are present but fine and the finish is a little hot but not too bad. Very delicious by itself and with grilled ribeye.

2013 vintage

Decanted 1 hr. A couple of glasses had a beautiful nose near the end of the glass. Tastes of dark fruits and a hint of cocoa. Well balanced.

2013 vintage

Viscus dark garnet color. Aromas of blackberry syrup and alcohol. Rich blackberry flavors with some leather and a lengthy finish.

2013 vintage

Nice wine, full bodied- loads of red and black fruits, a bit syrupy, but not without any acid or tannin. Had it with pulled pork, and funnily enough, the trousseau blanc we had open as well paired better than the red... Had later on with some chocolate- it worked really well. I strongly agree with Stephen Rash's notes.

2013 vintage

Dark garnet to purple in color, semi-clear, dull; Strong blackberry aromas on the nose followed by leather, cocoa, and rubber; the palate confirms the nose; long finish. The mouthfeel is bold with good weight throughout. All components come together in this well balanced wine from Russell From.

2013 vintage

Excellent Blend

2013 vintage

Another stellar effort. The Grenache provides the perfect amount of spice to the deep syrah fruit. Great now but should last for years.

2013 vintage

Complex chewy good mouth feel. Still a little tart, could lay down for several more years

2013 vintage

Wonderful wine full of flavor. For the person that loves a full body red this is it!

2013 vintage

Thought I would do a back to back, '12 last night '13 tonight. Give the '13 another year and it will be great.

2013 vintage

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Herman Story, Casual Encounters, Santa Barbara County

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