Jody Scharf

9.4

Great balance of acid and dark fruits. Rolls around the palate nicely. One sip stays with you for awhile. But then you want more. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

So, Colleen of James Cole loves Rose. James Cole, at the time, did not make a Rose. James grew weary of her drinking other producers Rose; which prompted him to make one. It's a small production of about 200-300 cases. He releases this on Valentines Day and makes a beautiful inscription on the bottle just to her. Nice touch James. This is made from Malbec and is much darker in color than most Roses. Blackberry reduction, dark cherries, cherries, pouched strawberries, brilliant crumbled chalkiness and minerals, dark moist soil and a rich, thick, beautiful long finish. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Chuck Hendrick's is the Hope & Grace Winemaker. He also makes his own private label "Hendricks" wine sold through the Hope & Grace tasting room. Amazing private label Cabernet and Pinot. He also makes my favorite Malbec's; Hope & Grace and James Cole through 2014. They are pure beauty & elegance. The fruits are pure, ruby, elegant, ripe, reduced blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries, juicy strawberries, melted milk chocolate, light baking spices, rich moist dark turned earth, crushed brown volcanic minerals, liquid violets, used coffee grounds, perfect acidity, structure, balance, length and the finish is in the forget about it category! It's a liquid fruit milk chocolate bar. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistently one of my favorites from James Cole. The 13 is no different. New Winemaker for the 15 vintage. We'll see if the style changes. Trained by Chuck but they've added a Wine Consultant. Interesting to see how new influences changes this wine. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, ripe, ruby, fruits of; mulberry, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, black cherries, blueberries & creamy raspberries. Vanilla, hints of sweet tarriness, black licorice, whiff of spice, soft understated limestone minerals & crushed rock powder, fruity black tea, hint of fresh herbaceousness, rich, black turned earth, fresh dark floral bouquet and fields of lavender & violets.

The body is rich, ripe & full. The tannins are a little sticky but well softened, round and a touch chewy. The structure, tension, length, balance, tension and balance are very close to perfect and harmonious. Fruits are; mulberry, huckleberry, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, black cherries & creamy raspberries. Vanilla, hints of sweet tarriness, black licorice, whiff of spice, soft understated limestone minerals & crushed rock powder, fruity black tea, hint of fresh herbaceousness, rich, black turned earth, fresh dark floral bouquet and fields of lavender & violets. The acidity is round and rains like a waterfall perfectly over the palate. The very long, ruby, rich, well balance lasts minutes and is absolutely heavenly. Gorgeous, elegant, stunning wine.

Photos of; the vertical tasting we attended of all Hendricks Cabernets; 04, 05, 09 & 12 at the time w/ one of our favorite paintings in the background, Charles Hendricks working in the cellar, very old rootstock from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard where the fruit to make this wine normally comes from and a wide shot of the Stag’s Leap Vineyard.

Producer notes and history...Hendricks Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently sourced from a few of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. In those near perfect vintages, Charles only makes a small production wine of around 250-300 cases. Charles only produces it when he has exception fruit. He’s made Hendricks Cabernet in; 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012 & 2014. Notice he didn’t make Hendricks Cabernet in a great vintage year like 2013. He wasn’t happy enough with his fruit in 2013 to put his name on it. That says a lot and maybe all you need to know about his standard for quality. I do know what wine his 13 fruit made as I’ve had and it’s an unbelievable wine for far less money.

Charles also makes a fantastic Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands that is really quite amazing. Especially, if you give it 5 or 6 years in bottle. All his wines are sold exclusively through the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville as he is also the Hope & Grace Winemaker.

Charles graduated in 1982 from UC Davis in viticulture. He was also able to tailor his own curriculum and was one of the earliest to integrate winemaking and viticulture course work. Having knowledge of both viticulture and enology forms the basis for his well-rounded winemaking.

Over the years Charles has worked in both Napa and Sonoma Counties, gaining hands on experience in all aspects of winemaking. He has a strong reputation for excellence. In his career, he’s been a consulting winemaker for many wineries; Viader, Barnett Vineyards, Paoletti Vineyards, Regusci Winery, James Cole, T-Vine and Tamayo family Vineyard.

I asked Charles, “how does he make wines that are amazingly good in their youth but will age effortlessly for 15-20 years?” His answer was simply this, “its not that hard, you just have to know the perfect time to harvest fruit.” I would agree with that to a degree. But, you also have to know how to gently guide fruit onto it’s path into the barrel and not get in the wine’s way or overwork the process. — 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 — 10 years ago

doug williams

9.9

The whole flight is distinguished and unforgettable but we came back to buy a bottle of this. It tastes like an angels breath mixed with rose petals. — 13 years ago

with Carolyn

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Like the updated logo/label. On the nose; beautiful red, fresh, florals, sweet dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, baking spices & perfume florals. The mouthfeel is ripe, rich and juicy. Drier powdery tannin structure, anise, black licorice, ripe; blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, nice amount of baking spices, grippy volcanic minerals, soft leather, loamy soils, tree bark, mouthwatering acidity and long, rich, ripe fruit driven finish with just a touch of dry powdery tannins on the long set. — 9 years ago

Mike R

9.6

One of favorite boutique Napa winery - decanted 2 hours - love the 09, 10 and 12 - not tried the 13 yet - singing in prefect pitch - color is deep red and stunning, smell is intoxicating, taste is with every sip reminding me to smile and the finish is damn right runway model sexy - in honor of @Carl Fischer and the amazing Christmas carol story last night and as a tribute to all delectable folks including the WNH gang - my 2nd seasonal posting is an adaption from Home Alone 2 - "hold it right there - and you respond by saying "this is wine drinkers everywhere" - I say knew it was you as I could smell you near my cellar - you were at my cellar last night and You been drinking with everybody and not always smiling - you been drinking with "Snuffy. Al. Leo. Moe, with the gimpy leg. Cheeks. Boney Bob, Cliff" - you say "I am mistaken and have been not drinking with everybody and when you drink your wine you do smile" - so I say I believe you but tommy gun don't so I going to give to the count of three to pour a glass of wine and start smiling one two and wait you are smiling so keep smiling and Merry Christmas you wine drinking animals!!!! — 10 years ago

Steve Martinelli

9.5

Great Bordeaux blend, not overdone at all. Nice balance. This will lay for plenty of years in the cellar but enjoyable now! — 10 years ago

Cayla Dee Porter

9.5

A nice elegant zin with intense dark fruit and a soft palate. — 11 years ago