Juniper Well Ranch
Kosta Browne
Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir 2014
The nose shows a mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core and f anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue.
The body is medium full, rich, ripe with nice viscosity. She has a light tannin feeling. Mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dry, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices with mid to strong heat, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, salted caramel, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core of anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, incense, dry tobacco, savory, grilled meats, used leather, dry & fresh herbs, mint, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The acidity is a cool mountain stream. The finish is; nicely knitted, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, fruit juicy falling onto spice & earth persisting several minutes.
Good...still needs 3-5 years in prison before it gives more back.
12/26/20 Happy Boxing Day! 🎁 — 5 years ago
Hendricks Wines
Gold Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
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
Etude
Estate Grown Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir 2018
Bright ruby red color. Bountiful aromas of red berries and dried violets. Pallet is full of strawberry and raspberry fruit with hints of black tea, baking spices, earth and pepper spice. Just a bit of a “gamey” quality as well. Nice hint of oak on the clean finish. Fine tannins and bright acidity. Creamy texture. Rich and nicely rounded. Absolutely a “California-Style” Pinot Noir. Nice choice, Mark Smith. — 3 years ago
Patria
Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
A blend of 88% Cab Sauv, 8% Petit Verdot & 4% Cab Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of juicy red and black fruits, sweet spice with floral notes. The palate is loaded with vibrant ripe fruit, cherry, blueberry and blackberry flavors with vanilla cedar, some cacao and currants notes, well balanced. Fine round tannins with great mouthfeel, long ending with a powerhouse of fruit and sweet spice on the finish. Great now but has plenty of room to run. — 6 years ago
Sbragia Family Vineyards
Home Ranch Chardonnay 2018
The 2018 Sbragia Family Vineyards ‘Home Ranch’ Chardonnay is a seriously good effort from famed winemaker Ed Sbragia. On the nose this grabs your attention with baked pear, marzipan and shades of lemon cream that all fill the glass. The bright acidity is lovely here as lemon creme brûlée, ripe pineapple and shades of butterscotch flavors all enter the fray. While a delight to savor in its youth this excellent wine will cellar well for a decade or more, picking up earthy tertiary notes as it evolves. Drink 2019-2029- 91 — 7 years ago
Hall Wines
T Bar T Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Well-balanced. Drink again. — 9 years ago
Failla
Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013
Evolving beautifully and likely not at its peak yet, this wine was gorgeous with cherry and cranberry compote flavors touched with cedar and dried herbs. On the richer, riper side of things but only just. A very fine way to spend an afternoon with friends (six feet distant). Well done @Ehren Jordan — 6 years ago
Ridge Vineyards
Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Blend 2009
In a great place right now. Day 1: High tannin, high acid, high alcohol, and high fruit forward sweetness all in perfect balance! Definitely recommend with some hearty food. Day 3: With a quarter bottle left the wine gained some color and has become highly aromatic. Lavender, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf with hints of jasmine. The tannins have melted away and its like biting into a perfectly ripe plum, really well done! — 7 years ago
Nickel & Nickel
State Ranch Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Black fruit, roasted strawberries, underbrush and oak. Well balanced. — 8 years ago
Rob Murray Vineyards
Force of Nature Mossfire Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Deep garnet faintly translucent color and full bodied. Lots of dark bramble fruit followed by a touch of oak leading to a short, but smooth and lightly tannic finish. Good value and paired well the BBQ ribs. — 9 years ago
Kenefick Ranch
Caitlin's Select Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2013
V13. Well balanced. Soft floral and tobacco nose melds with rich blackberry fruit and a thick , dry peppery finish. Would work with grilled meats and spicy condiments — 9 years ago
Anthill Farms
Campbell Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir
Solid Pinot, definitely on the lighter side. Paired well with yellowfin tuna. First experience here but will try again. — 9 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — a year ago