David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

HBTM! 🥳 🎉🎂 🎈

Charles Hendricks one of the most underrated Winemakers in the Napa/Sonoma/Santa Lucia areas. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.

The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Charles still makes my favorite new world Malbec. Ten years old the better. But, the drink nicely young. Just lush, ruby, rich and elegant on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, glorious raspberries, dark cherries, some strawberries. Both light and dark colas/licorice. Dry brush, dark chocolate, rich dark soil, medium baking spices, caramel, some pepper, violets for days, great acidity and a very well balanced, polished finish that lasts minutes. — 9 months ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.7

Age is its friend. Great bottle for the auction price of $50.00,
No way to drink this on release, needs 10-15 years at the least — 6 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Love Charles Pinots. I do like the Doctors Vineyard from Santa Lucia slightly over the Russian River.

I hold these 5-6 years from bottling, not vintage before I start drinking his Pinots. Excellent Floral fruits, strawberries, pomegranate, dry cranberries, some blackberries, haunting raspberries, cherries, red cola/licorice, dry crushed rocks, fresh to dryish herbs, mid dark spice, vanillin, nutmeg, soft cinnamon, limestone marl, hints of fresh tobacco, wood shavings, red, dark, blue flowers framed in violets. Rainfall acidity with excellent tension, well balanced, nicely structured, floral and polished finish. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

In fairness to Ca Chardonnays, I’m not a fan of their Chardonnays. There are few I really enjoy. It’s round & lush on the palate. Bruised apple, pear, lemon, lime, some buttery notes, caramel, toast, dry, crushed, powdery limestone ( a fair amount) cheese cloth, cream, strong volcanics, yellow & white fresh flowers, good round acidity and round somewhat pleasant finish. — 9 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Interesting Provence Red. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (24%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (26%). Aromas of red and black fruit and abundant forest floor. Ripe red and black fruit flavors and a hint of black licorice and black pepper spice. Long finish and medium tannins. Nice combination of power and grace. — a year ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Pushing a 1/4 century and still amazing. Most people would never hold a Ca Pinot this long. While it is the other side of peak, it is not that far off. Loads of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plum, dry cranberries, pomegranate, black raspberries. Red licorice/cola, steeped fruit tea, mint, tree bark with sap, dry twigs, dry dark earth and top soil, grilled meats, light, semi-fresh tobacco, dry leaves-brickish notes, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, hints of vanillin, fresh and withering dark & red florals, beautiful acidity and a well balanced, structured, wire to wire finish that lasts two-minutes. Bravo Charles. Vineyard is in Santa Lucia.

Happy Labor Day weekend! — 8 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is the magic of Charles craft. He makes a PV that drink young and will age. Most PV’s young are brutal on the palate. Like sandpaper.

This is a beautiful. It it round, lush, full on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, light raspberry & strawberries w/ some purple fruit hues. Dark melted chocolate, mocha, caramel, moist clay, light baking spices, soft mid spices, fresh tobacco, older leather but hardly worn, fresh herbaceousiness, dark rich soil w/ leaves, sandalwood, tree bark with hints of sap, mixed mid to dark colored floral bouquet. Excellent round acidity with excellent structure, balance and polished wire to wire on the finish. — 9 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The NV Brut Royale Réserve (base 2018) is a very pretty, entry-level offering from Philipponnat. Crushed flowers, green pear, spice and a touch of chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit NV Champagne. The blend is 69% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay and 3% Meunier, with 26% reserve wines. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — a year ago