Paul H

9.2

This big beauty took a while to open up. It was worth the wait. The nose was tight to me not reveling much of to what was to come. I was able to get some dark red fruits and maybe a passing wire of chocolate. Later after time in the decanter some earth and spices developed as well with a little more chocolate. The palate is rewarded with dark blue fruit, wet rocks, what I thought was mushroom but others did not see it my way, tobacco leaves, cigar box and ever so slight bit of chocolate. The finish seemed to go on and on. The tannins could not have been better in this glass of wine. I was very lucky to try this wine. — 6 years ago

Kevin Løk

9.1

Birds on the label, put it on my table. This is all you want in a barbera. — 7 years ago

with Brendan

Jim McCusker

9.8

Absolutely brilliant. This is one of the best grenaches I’ve had in a long time. Incredible aromas of plumbs, blackberries, candied blueberries, along with hints of cinnamon and clove. The palate is absolutely stunning: seamless evolution of fruit coupled with perfectly intergrated sweet tannins leading to a finish that goes on for over a minute. I have no idea if this will improve with more time in the cellar, but I have no idea why you would wait: this is unreal. Manfred Krankle is a GOD!!! 👍 — 7 years ago

with Vanessa

Doctor No

9.1

Clean and incisive, red berry fruit and a slight touch of brioche on the nose. Creamy but somewhat aggressive mousse. I think @Morgan Twain-Peterson and @Chris Cottrell are doing very cool things here and am waiting to see some late disgorgement versions of these! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Grabbed another bottle! Wine bears the vineyard named to honor the Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey that play a vital role in sustainable farming practices. Bright yellow with aromas of tropical fruits and sweet floral scents. Aged for 14 months, 75% in new French oak and 25% in stainless. On the palate melon, pineapple and peach flavors and hints of citrus, subtle yet complex and well balanced. Lingering finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and toasty oak. Outstanding! — 8 years ago

Peter Davison-Lancaster

9.1

Am impressive red blend with strong aromas of black currants with a hint of cloves on the nose. A really smooth easy drinking social wine — 9 years ago

Pierre Idiart

9.3

Fine line ghost peach color. Short toasted nose with a beautiful fresh strawberry palate dancing into a memory ( like biting into a red delicious Washington Apple, over plump and perfect, on a country side road) : A Structured, elegant rose, with razor wire nerve: Wish I'd had another bottle — 9 years ago

Marshal White

9.1

Comes into its own on night two. Black fresh fruit, aromatic (orange peel, hot rocks, and rose water) with some of that ethereal aromatic character that Etna Rosso has, but in a more grounded, less high-wire way. — 9 years ago

alewifery

9.0

Truly a symphony. Balanced like that fool in Man On a Wire. For those that find the cloying sweet malt of some Belgians disgusting, this is the answer. A tinge of sour a tinge of malt. #symphony — 10 years ago

Martin Redmond

9.2

Love this single vineyard vintage California bubbly. It's charismatic, layered, broad, energetic, and vinous with a yellow orchard fruit, ginger, floral, mixed citrus (lime and a hint of blood orange marmalade), gentle spice character underscored with an appealing wet stone minerality. 12% alcohol, 22 months on lees, dosed at 3g/L — 10 years ago

Robert Wolfe

9.4

These Etna Rossos from old vine Nerello Mascalese are a new interest of mine. Grown on volcanic soil's obviously, the winds can have a high wire tension of fruit acidity and tannin not dissimilar from young Nebbiolo's from more northern clime, such as Gattinara. This '09 is somewhat developed, and drinking nicely, but still has plenty of life left. Delectable tagged this as Guardiola, which is a white. It's really a red from the Sciaranuova Contrada (lava flow) — 11 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

Fathers Day in style. One of my very favorite wines from anywhere. Clos Canarelli Corse Figare Rose. It’s simply exuberant, but has a fresh, thirst quenching character to it as well. It takes a special bottle to pair with this album which I received as a Father’s Day present. The one and only recording from Michael O’Shea who played a self made 17 strong dulcimer of sorts and was encouraged by members of The The and Wire to record this in the early 80’s. Both have a soulful mystery to them which make for a wonderfully introspective time on an introspective day. I love that my family humors these little obsessions and shares them with me. — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

I've always liked this Chianti. Maybe it is the birds. On the lighter side, glacier cherries, red berries, a rich of earth. One to drink with turkey! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose, beautiful purple floral blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, touch of dry herbs, light dark spice, mixed berry cola, light baking spices, violets and red florals bouquet.

The body is medium full. The palate is seamless wire to wire. The wine is still very fresh. The texture, structure, tension and balance are very good headed to great. Floral blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, touch of dry herbs, dark asian spice, big grainy minerality, mixed berry cola, light baking spices, graphite, leathery crushed rocks, stems, violets and red florals bouquet. Beautiful acidity and a long, well, balanced, elegant finish that last minutes.

Photos of, the Carter winery & tasting room, our host for our tasting, Mark Carter. Wine barrel with logo and the Hossfeld Vineyard. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Happy National Wine Day! 🍷🥂🎉🎊

I haven’t had this 08 in about 3-4 years. I had four bottles then and drank them faster than I imagined it was just that insanely delicious. This Hendricks 08 Santa Lucia Pinot Noir is in the top two CA Pinot’s I’ve enjoyed. I found two bottles recently on auction for a ridiculous $40. When it’s sold in futures at the Hope & Grace tasting room it’s $75 and $90 upon release.

The nose reveals slightly baked; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries & strawberries. Some of the most beautiful spice on the nose mine has come across. It’s slightly sweet, dark with a touch of incense. Crushed powdery limestone, savoriness, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets.

The body is medium and flat out gorgeous. Its flows & dances over the palate. It’s a sexy wine. Wire to wire this wine doesn’t disappoint. Ripe and slightly candied; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries, pomegranate, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful dark spice with heat that lifts off the palate, nicely soft baking spices, incense crushed dry rock & powdery limestone, some rich, moist, dark earth, savoy meats, dry stems, spice, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets. The acidity is spectacular. The length, structure and balance have hit its peak. The finish is; rich, ripe, the definition of elegance, perfectly balanced and doesn’t end. It just goes on & on.

Photos of; Santa Lucia vines, Winemaker-Charles Hendricks doing the heavy lifting in the cellar l, grapes waiting to be crushed and the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville where this wine is sold. Charles is the Winemaker for Hope & Grace as well. — 8 years ago

Diane Withrow

9.2

Pear, stone, oak, more spring than autumn. A breezy spring day with a few dry leaves still blowing down the walkway. Buds on the branches. Glad I'm wearing a sweater. Here comes the sun. Another sip... take a deep clean breath. The grille comes out of the shed for that lovely white fleshed fish with lemon and olive oil. Crusty bread. Asparagus. Jazz or just the birds? Me humming? — 9 years ago

Marc Pavan

9.0

Thick and rich! Dark maroon with a brown rim. Oak and leather push through the dark stone fruit aromas. All that aging has taken the edge off the tannins. Mellow for sure. Leathery and full on the palate. Used as a conversation wine at a gathering. Paired well with fruits from the tray, cheese log and Doritos. Honestly, for $18.99 cdn you can't go wrong with this. Lots of gold on the label and wire mesh give an elegance that makes the host think that it punches above it's price class. — 9 years ago

with Leslie

Martin Redmond

8.9

Very pale yellow color with plenty of active tiny bubbles. I got pie crust, green apple, lemon, chalk and a nuanced spice note on the nose. On the palate, the mousse is creamy with green apple, lemon, ginger, and a bit of apricot with a chalky minerality. Wonderful bubbly. Wish I'd left open in the fridge for a couple of hours has suggested. Will do next time!

The wine was fermented in old French old barrels with native yeasts. After 7 months of aging, the wine was put into bottle for secondary fermentation and disgorged in June 2015 with 2 grams of dosage. — 9 years ago

Diedra West

9.8

Diedra had this 10 years ago

Morgan Harris

Head Sommelier Aureole New York

9.5

Insanely balanced, and firing on all 12 cylinders. High-wire. Freshness with density, and heady perfumed floral aromatics matched with compelling savory, meaty notes from the variety and noble reduction. A pity I can't afford to drink more of this. You could wait more than a few years to bust into this, but crazy good now. — 11 years ago

Scott Soren

9.2

Make be on the back side of its life, still a solid pinot. Cherry and raspberries dominate the pallet. Floral bouquet on the nose. Higher acidity than i remember. — 7 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.6

Many regard Keller as the best in the Rheinheesen and this bone dry racy Riesling is one of the best I’ve ever had. Von Der Fels is Man on Wire. A tight rope walker with razor thin margins. Austere and beautiful. Incredible juxtaposition from calm lemon, vanilla aloe, and sage to a level of acid I haven’t seen before.

And still spectacularly harmonious. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Tonight’s sipper is really beautiful. I found the 06 Walter Hansel Cahill after pairing & pouring their 08 a few weeks ago at Hedy’s Plate & Bottle dinner here at the house.

The 08 was really good but, this is even better. Much brighter, not as dark. A wine to pair or enjoy on its own. While the 08 shined better with food.

On the nose; bright, ripe cherries, raspberries, poached strawberries, softened blackberries, blue floral fruits, hint of rhubarb with a touch of brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, medium dark spice, wood shavings, limestone, dry clay mixed with dry, powdery top soil, just a whiff of dry herbs, fresh red flowers & roses.

The palate is medium full and nicely resolved. It’s just a shade the other side of its top peak. Beautiful texture and mouthfeel. The wine is completely seamless wire to wire. Bright, ripe cherries, raspberries, poached strawberries, blackberries reduced, blue floral fruits, hint of rhubarb & pomegranate extract. Slightly burnt brown sugar, red vines, cherry cola, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, medium dark spice, wood shavings, dry stems, limestone, dry clay mixed with dry, powdery top soil, just a whiff of dry herbs, fresh red flowers & roses. The acidity rains on the palate. The structure, length, tension and balance are in perfect harmony. The long, elegant, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.

Photos of; Walter Hansel winery restaurant, Pinot freshly harvested and headed to the WH winery, Stephen Hansel in the vineyard and one of beautiful Sonoma vineyards.

One producer note, Stephen was mentored by Tom Rochioli, who helped him in the early years of his winemaking, which began out of a garage! — 7 years ago

david hassell

10

big juicy dark berries in my nostrils~leading into a semi-heavy tannic palate balancing on a high acidity tight wire...tastes like a cold climate tannic berry beast — 8 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.7

Unlike any wine I’ve had before. I don’t have much experience with pre-phylloxera vines. Aromatics jump out of the glass with smoked moss and 🌋🌋🌋🌋🌋. This austere wine on the pallet gives off flavors of berry on the breeze and a dusty Sicilian road. Tannins are extremely silky. Long finish that is balanced like a high wire acrobat. — 8 years ago

alewifery

10

man on a wire. got to be kidding me. blows away 90% of mature barley based products. #armangac #charlesneal #pellehaut — 9 years ago

Martin Redmond

9.1

Violet color with kirsch, spice, orange zest and sandalwood aromas. On the palate there is a ample black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry fruit, with a hint of smoked meat wrapped around a firm spine of acidity with an appealing minerality. 78% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 6% Syrah 14.9% alcohol — 9 years ago

Scotscowgirl

10

Lucious wine full of ripe blackberries. Not overly spiced and exceptionally smooth. Perfect with a simple filler steak followed by cheese. — 10 years ago

Richie Mello

9.3

Caution: Some of these are super carbonated so watch where you point that bad boy when you twist off the wire. Consequently it's the most effervescent cider/poire I've ever experienced, nearly the same effect of putting mento's and coke in your mouth. Hazy golden color with a nice layer of lees sediment. The french farmhouse funk is as lovely as ever with alot of very obvious acetic acid on both the nose as well as palate. Semi-dry, appreciatively fresh with a nice long back end to round things out. She's a beaut :) — 11 years ago

Laura Brennan

10

As limited as the tears of sleeping Madagascan birds, fed on by stealthy well palated moths, Wei Chi Semillon could keep your attention for days (or undoubtably years if you are patient).

A salty vessel of acidity, with promising texture that begs to be buried in the cellar and opened with Something Special in times to come--just wait.

In short, open this wine now, you will enjoy it, OR open it an 3-5 years and lose your mind. — 11 years ago