Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 20 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.0

This is enjoyable in a massive CA overripe wine style! There’s a good amount of all the peppers, bell, jalapeños, white, cracked black, huge amount of purple/black fruit. Jan. Vanilla and some woodsy notes. I’d drink again. — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Nose: darker Syrah fruit. Bit of sauvage. Lilacs.

Palate: licorice. Good acidity. Pretty acidic.

Planetwine — 4 months ago

S.S. Mandani

8.9

Honest this one’s just okay. A bit too much alc. Says 13.2% but feels closer to 14%. It’s just out of balance — 4 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

This and the rose are my favorites from Michael David. Huge wine. Explosion of fruit on the nose. Not a lot of oak/wood which is great. Smooth and drinkable. This is a great bbq wine that at or just bellow cellar temp is even better. I’d buy again — a month ago

Donald Williams

9.5

Nice complement for both the chicken Marsala and the ribeye. — 2 months ago

with Bonnie

Jennifer Pletcher

8.9

Warm, juicy. Lots of fruit. A hint of overripe fruit. A touch of coconut. — 17 days ago

Rick Hadsall

9.2

Dark berry fruit in the nose, soft and fruit forward on the palate - approachable and food friendly but not overly tannic. Excellent! — 21 days ago

Kevin Løk

9.1

For the money — wow! All #smiles — 2 months ago

with Caroline

Arturo Rodriguez

9.0

Excellent quality to price ratio!! — 5 months ago