Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you are going to drink Napa Valley 100% Merlot, you can’t go wrong drinking one crafted by Charles Hendricks.

The nose shines brightly of, dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, poached/baked - strawberries & cherries, hints of blueberries, dark chocolate, limestone/clay minerals, dry crushed rocks, steeped black tea, touch mint, mocha, soft; cinnamon, clove & vanilla, understated, sweet tarriness, dark spice, used expresso grounds, whiff of black pepper, rich, black earthiness, light alcohol vapors, malt in malt balls with ruby, to candied, dark, red, blue and dominate purple florals that are fresh to withering and slightly candied.

The wine is somewhere around its peak with another 5-8 years of solid drinking ahead. Palate is; ripe, juicy, lush and full bodied. Fruits are; dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, baked, juicy black plum w/ skin, strawberries & cherries, much more blueberry than the nose, hovering raspberries around the rest of the more dominant fruits, dark chocolate, limestone/clay minerals, dry crushed rocks, steeped black tea, touch mint, light sage, mocha powder, soft; cinnamon, clove & vanilla, understated, sweet tarriness, dark spice bring heat to the mid tongue, used expresso grounds, hint of black pepper, rich, black earthiness, malt in malt balls with ruby, to candied, dark, red, blue and dominate purple florals framed in violets & lavender that are fresh to withering and slightly candied. The acidity is bright & fresh and holds the slightly elevated alcohol level. The long finish is; ripe, juicy, elegant, good balance of fruit & earth that falls into heated dark spices that linger minutes.

Photos of, the Regusci winery & Estate vines,
Tasting bar, pay by honor fruit & vegetable cart just outside their Estate (they were farmers long before they made wine) and the view of the Napa Valley floor viewed from their tasting terrace. — 5 years ago

Billy L.

9.0

PNP, couple notches below his “Hendricks” Grand Vin offering...Cheers 🍇🍷 — 6 years ago

Eric

9.7

Can’t get enough! — 7 years ago

Eric

9.2

Total beast. A little ripe and sweet for me but the quality and balance is off the charts. Great deal too. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Upon opening, the nose is heavy expresso roast, black olive, a slight touch of pyrazine, anise, dark chocolate, mocha, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, cinnamon, vanilla, whiff of clove, dark rich soil, crushed rocks, cedar, soft leather and fresh and dry, dark flowers. The body is full and rich. Tannins are supple & round with plenty of life ahead. It’s nicely layered; dark currants, earth and spice. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, strawberries, pomegranate brings the end of the first layer. Second layer shows; turned rich black earth, dry top soil, soft volcanic minerals. Third layer show, Asian spices and just a touch of meat grilled meat rub. Dark chocolate bar, mocha, vanilla, cherry liqueur notes, cedar, tobacco with ash, bright red florals, violets, acidity like a waterfall and a long, rich, balanced finish that lasts and lasts. Another Charles Hendricks work of art. Photos of; James & Colleen (Owners) with their children, road signage on the Silverado Trail, tasting patio and their estate building. — 8 years ago

Paul T HB

9.4

A notch below the Hendricks, not a knock against the Houyi but more about how good the Hendricks was. — 8 years ago

Dianna Lee

9.0

Brought back from Italy - Hendricks 35th — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

One of the best California Cabernets, including all the Cult Cabs. It is pure elegance even at this still young age. It most certainly will only get better over the the next five to eight years. The hardest part is waiting as it's so good now. Blackberries, blueberries, blueberries and blueberries. Black plum, raspberries paint the background, liquid violets, milk chocolate, it's juicy to dry, underbrush, herbs, dry crush rocks, just a touch of baking spices, sweet leather and dry soft minerals. Smooooth! The fruit is perfect. Chuck really knows how to farm fruit and the exact time to reel it in. He is one of the most underrated Winemakers in CA. — 9 years ago

Jacqueline Smith

9.4

Second to Hendricks but lovely. — 10 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy Thanksgiving Eve. I wish you all a great Thanksgiving with family & friends giving thanks over some great food & wine pairing. 🍁🦃🍽

Coravined this last weekend as nightcap...it’s a pleasure getting back to it tonight.

The nose at the beginning broods ripe, dark fruit liqueur notes but, calms down in the glass after 10 minutes. It evolves into; bright, ruby, lush, dark, slightly candied floral currants/cassis. Ripe; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries syrup, boysenberries, olallieberries, black plum extract with poached strawberries & raspberries on the glass edges. Anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark, mixed berry cola, mid intensity dark spice, dry crushed rocks, touch of incense, dry tobacco, leathery notes, wood shavings, dark chocolate, vanilla, light nutmeg & clove, dark, rich, turned earth, steeped fruit teas, mid, fresh herbaceousiness, bright, dark, red, blue slightly candied florals with fresh violets & lavender for days.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The fruits halfway to candied. The tension, structure, length and balance are in a very good place with another 8-10 years of good drinking ahead. The tannins are beautifully round, 55% resolved and still tarry, chewy with some teeth. Beautifully ripe; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries, blueberries syrup, boysenberries, olallieberries, black plum extract with poached strawberries & black raspberries. Anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark, mixed berry cola, mid intensity darker spice on the long palate than the nose and show some heat, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, limestone, touch of incense, dry tobacco, leathery notes, wood shavings, dark chocolate, malt in malted balls vanilla, light nutmeg & clove, dark, rich, turned earth, moist clay, steeped fruit teas, mid, fresh herbaceousness, bright, dark, red, blue slightly candied florals with fresh violets & lavender for days. The acidity is round and some of the best I’ve had in the 10’s I’ve had to date. The finish is delicious, ruby, lush, extremely well balanced and is the textbook definition of elegance. It persists several minutes with several nuances along the way. One of the very best 2010’s I’ve had as I am not a big fan of most 10’s. Get some if you can find.

Photos of; James Cole Winery and Estate vines, certainly one of my favorite Napa Winemakers-Charles Hendricks (FYI, has not been their Winemaker since midway through the 14 vintage), their outside patio lounge and the tasting bar. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Amongst all the big name Napa producers and cult Cabernets, this small production under the radar producer impresses me and blind will stand in there with many of Napa’s best.

James Cole until 2014 was made by Charles Hendricks. Truly, one of my favorite Napa Winemakers. He has the gift of making wines that drink really well young, yet will improve over 10-20 years. His apprentice has taken over now. I cannot endorse the vintages after 14. I have had a few of his wines and they lack the beauty & elegance Charles could bring to them in their youth. You can still find Charles’s beauty & elegance in the Hope & Grace wines and his own label Hendricks.

The nose reveals; a mix of dark currants & cassis, ripe, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, well extracted blackberries, strawberries on the glass edges, dark chocolate, mocha powder, limestone minerals, dark mixed berry cola, whiff of smoldering ambers, fruit liqueur notes, anise, leather, cedar, lead pencil, underbrush, old tobacco, notes of soy & Worcester sauce, hint of mint, vanilla, dark spice and withering dark floral bouquet.

The body is medium full and rich. The structure, tension, length and balance are hitting its stride. The tannins are round, dark and a little chewy. Dark currants & cassis, ripe, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, well extracted blackberries, floral strawberries, edges, dark chocolate, mocha bar, limestone minerals, dark mixed berry cola, smoldering ambers, fruit liqueur notes, anise, leather, cedar, lead pencil, sweet tarriness, underbrush, old tobacco, notes of soy & Worcester sauce, hint of mint, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, bright red florals, lavender, violets and withering dark floral bouquet. The acidity is like a rain shower. The long finish tangos on the palate with bright ripe fruits & earthiness and is persistent for minutes.

Still has 10 years of life ahead of it.

Photos of, the front of James Cole, entrance sign, modest tasting bar and side lawn sitting area. — 6 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.0

Very dry. Low ABV. Usual Riesling notes but an interesting cucumber/squash thing going on...like a Hendricks gin. — 7 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.5

Can't go past Hendricks these days. Beautiful floral flavours, makes my g&t sing — 8 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

Fully opaque violet in the glass. Blackberry jam, cocoa, vanilla, and hints of tobacco leaf on the nose. Full bodied with very dense, concentrated black fruit on the palate rounded out by sweet tannins, medium + acidity, and good length. Crafted by winemaker Charles Hendricks from 100% Cabernet from Lewelling Ranch in St. Helena at the base of Spring Mountain aged 24 months in French oak. 14.4% alcohol. $85. — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Alex Hughes

9.5

2014 vintage. Delicious. Ripe but terrifically balanced and layered. As I drink it I think of Mad Men's Christina Hendricks. — 8 years ago

Claire Gabaldon

Wine Club and Social Media Manager Spring Mountain Vineyard

9.1

Beastie Boys private label! Made by Charles Hendricks at Hope & Grace. It's a delicious non-vintage red blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre, etc and apparently sells likes hot cakes at their bar in New Orleans! — 9 years ago

with Scott

Laurence McCullough

9.5

After 10 years of waiting I was not disappointed with Charles Hendricks Cabernet. Delicious to say the least. — 10 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.7

Drew hendricks
Greg Kasanoff — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

@Plate&Bottle

Charles Hendricks Malbec night cap!!!


If you live in & around the greater Bay Area, you owe to yourself to attend one of the dinners Hedy holds 4-5 times a year. Not only is the food amongst the very best we had, the people that attend and environment are as equally good. Find Hedy @Plate&Bottle — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

No formal notes on this one as we ended up enjoying our evening far too much.

Suffice to say, the finest bottle I’ve had from them and amongst some of the best examples of new world red wine out of Napa I’ve had in some time.

The 2012 was singing last night. Complexity, showing amazing integration and flat out harmony on the palate. Man was this beautiful.

The Il Mostro (The Monster) red wine is named for the unusually thick and twisted Petite Sirah and Zinfandel vines that have stood strong for the last 100 to 125 years from where these grapes are sourced.

Beautiful craftsmanship from their former Winemaker, Charles Hendricks.

Photos of; James Cole Winery, their intimate tasting bar, Owners-James & Colleen and their Cellar/Private tasting room. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Still detoxing from Napa & Bordeaux Cabernet.

The nose reveals; dark cassis with some currants, some tarriness, hint of savory, smoked meats, black licorice to the core of anise, blackberries, black cherries, pomegranate extract, dry cranberries, some plum & blue fruits, dark fruit cola, liqueur notes, limestone minerals, some crushed rock powder, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, light vanilla, hints of sage & bay leaf, dark rich forest floor with dry leaves, dark fresh & withering flowers with a touch of bright red florals.

The body is on the fuller and richer side of Pinot. The wine is beautifully elegant across the palate. For a wine not coming from my best storage, this has held up nicely and showing far more complexity and integration than say a year ago. The structure & tension are still firm while the length and balance are approaching its high point. Dark cassis with some currants, some tarriness, hint of savory, smoked meats, black licorice to the core of anise, blackberries, black cherries, pomegranate extract, dry cranberries, some creamy black raspberries, mashed strawberries flesh, plum & blue fruits, raisins, dark fruit cola, liqueur notes, limestone minerals, some crushed rock powder, dark, long lasting spices with some heat, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, light vanilla, hints of sage & bay leaf, dark rich forest floor with dry leaves, dark fresh & withering flowers with a touch of bright red florals. The acidity is quite nice with well balanced fruit & earth finish that is persistent for minutes.

Photos of; Hope & Grace’s Stag’s Leap Vineyard, a very old vine which, I would say is 60 plus years old, Winemaker-Charles Hendricks willing to still do the heavy lifting and one of my favorite paintings that used to be in the Hope & Grace tasting room but, now is in Charles house. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Tastes a lot like a Hendricks Cabernet juice that wasn’t made in 2008. Mmmm...wonder where that Hendricks juice went? On the nose; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice, rubber toy (VA) with dark dry florals & old violets. The body is full. It’s lush, ruby, ripe & graceful on the palate. Tannins are 60% resolved. The tension, structure, length are still bold. The balance is perfect bass & terrible. Fruits are ripe & slightly baked. Dark currants/ cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, blue fruits, strawberries pull up the rear, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, mocha, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice that intensities in flavor & heat, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, moist soil, bay leaf, eucalyptus, rubber toy, slight tarry notes with dark dry florals & old violets. The acidity is round & dripping. The long, rich, ruby, ripe, elegant, well balanced finish lasts & lasts. It’s tastes a lot like Hendricks Cabernet without the spend. Drinking beautifully with 7-10 ahead. This 08 would likely finish higher in a blind tasting over many much higher priced cult Napa Cabernets. WOTN! Photos of, their tasting room in the center of the town of Yountville and the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and his private label “Hendricks”, Charles Hendricks. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Warm blackberry compote, wild violets, lavender, herbs & medium + barrel toast/baking spices on the nose. The dark fruits on the palate are glorious and seem to drive deep into and underneath the palate. Blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black plum, cooked strawberries & black raspberries pull up the rear of the fruits. The baking spices abound; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark chocolate, double dipped malt balls, caramel, black licorice anise, expresso roast, toasted toffee nuts, lavender, violets, cigar with ash, leather, spice-box, core of anise, sage, dusty volcanic gravel & crushed rocks, underbrush, dry stems, perfect acidity, it's got; pronounced, mouth presence, big tannins & structure, balance, strong tension and long length. The finish is swirling fruits, spice, baking spices. It starts ripe and juicy and falls into dry, deep spices. I would give this 09 another 5 years and will evolve over the next 10 years +. Charles Hendricks is a Winemaker wizard. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

If you are not familiar w/ Winemaker Charles Hendricks, this wine is a reason to get acquainted. Chuck makes his own private label Hendricks and the Hope & Grace wines. Through 14 and 1/2 of 15 he made James Cole & Regusci. This 01 is pure beauty & elegance. Perfect flavors, balance, purity, structure, acidity & length. Ruby dark elegant fruits; blackberries, dark cherries, dark raspberries, Asian spice, cinnamon, vanilla, dark earth with crushed rocks, suede leather, dry florals & black licorice. A wine you won't forget. He also makes the only Malbec's I really love! #gorgeous — 9 years ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.9

Like the woman of my dreams: round, generous, voluptuous, complex, beautiful and sexy as hell. It's Anita Ekberg in la Dolce Vita, it's Christina Hendricks in mad men. Well you got it. Acidity gives this monster of a wine a delicate touch, an immortal length that is just phenomenal! I have said several times that Yquem is in my opinion, the best wine estate of the planet. I rest my case with this bottle. It's is truly my dream woman — 10 years ago