Today, I’m reviewing wines from the William Hill Estate Coastal Collection sent to me as samples. These wines offer good value and are in broad distribution, so you can find them readily around the country, not just winery direct.

About William Hill Estate Winery

William Hill Estate Winery and its surrounding vineyard sit on the Silverado bench. That’s in the Vaca foothills on Atlas Peak Road, just across the street to the west of the Silverado Resort golf course. It’s within the Napa Valley AVA, but not any of the nested AVAs. The site is downhill and west from the Atlas Peak AVA, north of the Coombsville AVA, and south of Stags Leap District.

It’s a great spot for both wine growing and view taking. Just west of the winery, the terrain drops steeply—perhaps a couple hundred feet—toward Silverado Trail and the valley floor. You can see up and down the valley. Straight ahead is the Mayacamas range. And, if you time your tasting for late-afternoon on a Fall day, you can enjoy a spectacular sunset afterward.

The winery and vineyard were established in 1976. The rocky, volcanic soils are drain well, leading to concentrated wines from the small, thick-skinned grapes. The site is shaded from morning sun by the Vaca, so the vineyard stays relatively cool in the morning, picking up sun at midday, and warmth in the afternoon.

The winery offers five tiers of wine now. The Coastal Collection is varietal blends of North Coast*, or Central Coast**, fruit. The Napa Valley Collection highlights that AVA alone. The Benchland Series focuses on the estate vineyard, sometimes blended with compatible properties. The Winemaker’s Series includes small-lot, varietal wines from the Napa Valley AVA. (I’ve not reviewed it here, but I’m very fond of the Cabernet Franc.) Finally, Benchmark is a single wine blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot grown on the estate.

2015 William Hill Estate Coastal Collection Chardonnay North Coast 88+ 13.8% 750ml $17

Pleasing aromas of yellow apple, pear, and subtle baking spice lead into flavors of yellow apple, Meyer lemon, creme brûlée, and toasted oak. Body is medium-plus and the mouthfeel satin-smooth and enjoyably viscous. Drink now through 2022.

2016 William Hill Estate Coastal Collection Chardonnay North Coast 89 13.8% 750ml $17

Pretty on the nose with pear blossom, creamy custard, and yellow apple with a very light dusting of baking spice. Supple, gently mouthwatering, with very fine texture on the medium-bodied palate and flavors of mango-pineapple creme brûlée and, on the finish, fire-toasted marshmallow. Drink now through 2023.

2016 William Hill Estate Coastal Collection Sauvignon Blanc North Coast 89 13.8% 750ml screw cap $17

The nose reveals soft, pretty notes of guava, peach, orange-vanilla ice cream, and slightly underripe pineapple. It has medium body in the mouth with flavors which resemble the aromas, but are more tangy. The palate is fresh too; juiciness carries the flavors along for more than 30 seconds. Enjoy with or without food through 2021.

2015 William Hill Estate Coastal Collection Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast 88 13.9% 750ml $17

Aromas are bing cherry, tangy black currant, boysenberry, and very light caramel. Flavors on the medium-bodied palate are darker: bing and black cherries, blackberry, clove, and oak-roasted espresso bean. The tannins are fine-grained and offer just enough grip to make this wine better with food than on its own. Enjoy now through 2024.

*The North Coast AVA includes Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties.

**The Central Coast AVA runs from the Golden Gate Bridge all the way south through the city of Santa Barbara.

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Photos courtesy William Hill Estate. All rights reserved.