Delectable Wine

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9.8

One of the two or three most moving wines in this vertical, the 1988 Cristal is eternal. Deep and vertical, with Gothic spires of soaring aromatic, flavor and structural intensity, the 1988 has it all. At thirty years of age, the 1988 is fresh, vibrant and incredibly powerful. Lemon peel, white flower, chalk and almonds are all given an extra kick of vibrancy from the bright acids and underlying energy of the vintage. Even after three decades, the 1988 remains searing, classically austere and beautifully focused, with tremendous pedigree and stunning balance. The 1988 is a rare Cristal where the Chardonnay, at 48% of the blend, is on the higher side. “When I joined Roederer in 1989, we were blending the 1988s,” Lécaillon explains. “They were such hard wines to work with because the acidities were so high. My teeth suffered. I thought ‘am I going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life? Maybe I should change jobs?’” Luckily, he did not. “In 1988, flowering was very bad for the Chardonnay. Yields were quite low and flavors were super-intense and concentrated. This, to me, is one of the keys for making great Champagne with real dimension. Interestingly, the same is not true of Pinot Noir. Keep a glass of the 1988 to compare with the 2008 later. In my opinion, 2008 is the new 1988.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 6 years ago

Elizabeth Verity

9.3

Not a watery boring Pinot - lots of depth. Gift from Rob for work on Avast — 7 years ago

Andrew Lohse

9.0

Black cherry, underbrush, cola, baking spice. Finesse. Med- bodied. Acid does a lot of work. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Oh, yeah. My Friday's Cabernet fix.
Inky in color with a dark purple rim.

Sweet nose of blueberries, blackberries, sweet cherries, strawberries pie, vanilla, oak, blackberries, ripe plums, licorice, acetone, light cloves and peppercorn.

Full bodied, big and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Extremely fruity and Dry on the palate, with dried figs, blackberries, sweet plums, earth, leather, cherries, oak, vanilla, cola, licorice, cedar and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins, spices and black pepper.

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County is really enjoyable by itself to sip on. Complex and well balanced.

A Great wine to pair with a nice piece of filet mignon, which is exactly what I did.

It still needs a few years to chill in the bottle, but I loved it as it is.

14.3% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago

William Leslie

10

Fruit flavors on the nose, but no oak. Flavors of sweet tobacco and cherry seem to be most pronounced. There is also a juicy blackberry flavor paired with black current. The flavors all work together well without overpowering another. The wine is extremely well balanced leading to a very smooth feel. The tannins are mellow and there is a small little bite on the end. Overall this is an excellent wine from an excellent winemaker and one not to miss. For drinkers looking to try a more expensive bottle but worry it's not with it, this is a great choice to calm your fears. Just make sure to properly decant. — 9 years ago

Gae Saccoccio - NdC

9.0

Ampeleia, beyond this winery in the heart of Maremma (Tuscany) there was a swiss couple: Erica and Peter Max Suter, they bought an abandoned piece of land which since 2002 has been reorganized under the protection of Elisbetta Foradori. Roccatederighi's the ancient town nearby that spread over the Metalliferous Hills. All the Ampeleia wines bear names that recall ancestral ideas and profound concepts taken from ancient Greek culture: Kepos, Empatia, Ampeleia. Biggest enemy in the wine region is an excess heat and too much sun exposure of the vines which could provides too mushy wines or some dispreferred overipe. How does Marco Tait in the vineyards first then in the cellar, fight against such an adversary? Altitude, actually three different altitudes! Ampeleia di Sopra is where they've got vineyards between 450 and 600 m.a.s.l., here's for instance, the main reason why this vintage 2004, a blend of Cab Franc, Sangiovese and four others Mediterranean grape varieties despite his twelve years behind it is still that vibrating, breezy, unbroken and savory! http://www.ampeleia.it/ — 9 years ago

Ron R

9.0

Nothing distinctive, but well done, as described by my brother; Louis.

It's versatile and will work well with a variety of food. Oddly enough, Louis detected strawbs and cream. On the palette he detected small blackberries, black cherries and cassis. Tannins are fully resolved. An excellent example for the price. — 9 years ago

with Anne-marie, Pierre-Alexandre and 1 other

Jason Ruppert

9.1

What Matty Wicksteed said. A great amount of energy left for this one to work with. — 10 years ago

Pam Starr

Owner/Winemaker Crocker & Starr Wines

9.0

Jerky teriyaki stones pencil lead and some barn. Really fantastic for 75. And it's opening in the glass over an hour. Great piece of history — 10 years ago

with Ken and Norm

Rebecca Pfiffner

9.0

If Captain Ahab had a piece of milky quartz in his mouth, kissing him would be like drinking this wine. — 10 years ago

James Parker Huston, CWE

Sommelier Charlie Palmer

8.9

Nice piece of history. Had better days for sure. — 11 years ago

Joshua Fisher

9.2

Post Antonio Galloni tasting at Brasswood of all Mike Smith’s work. — 7 years ago

Conner Esworthy

9.1

Never disappoints. Blend of SLV and Fay vineyards. Could probably age for longer but ready to drink now too. Deserves a prime piece of meat alongside it! — 7 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. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The difficult thing about this wine is it's elegant and smooth, but lacks mouthfeel and structure that is the common flaw of the 98 vintage. I've had some nice 98's. Don't get me wrong, the 98 Staglin was was really nice as were a number of others. The 98 Bella Oaks is liquid milk chocolate, malt balls, black plummy dark fruit, eucalyptus, black olive, wet sweet dark earth, hint of nutmeg, vanilla extract, caramel, sweet saddlewood & tobacco, herbaceous spice, briney and a better finish than expected after a long taste. Better with each sip. You still sense it's a little alcohol hot even after all this time in bottle. It's a shame Heitz will no longer make the Bella Oaks after losing the vineyard lease. Look for the family that took it back to see how the wine is being produced. Hopefully, something special as it's a great piece of land that has produced some really nice fruit over it's many years. — 9 years ago

Devin Bray

9.5

More vanilla, deeper, richer, and more brooding than the 2010. Peaches. Almost reminiscent of white chocolate, so much is its oak the dominant factor at this point. A bit of aromatic piney menthol on the finish. Astounding - a work of art. — 9 years ago

Krystina K

9.1

This has become my go-to glass after a long day of work. Easy to drink, fruity on the palette, and I always pour a second glass! — 10 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.6

What a surprise to drink at a (fun--needless to say!) Saturday work event. I loved this. Quite aromatic, it had all the layers of silky blackberries, licorice, raspberries, leather, fresh mint, and something meaty like ratatouille. And the structure: this has plenty of acid and tannin to go the distance, but it's super fresh and integrated so is drinkable today. — 10 years ago

Audrius Dargužis

9.5

Monumental wine. First of all, you have to let breathe for half an hour. Let it settle in your glass as if it were Brando preparing to watch himself on VHS, sunk in a big leather armchair. It smells like dried fruits and tomato sauce running hand-in-hand around a pine tree. Mouth is very silky and elegant. A work of art. — 10 years ago

Scott T

VP/Senior Wine Specialist Christie's

9.4

In fantastic condition. Very Top Shoulder. Firm cork, pulled in one piece. Wine: Fully enveloped in its secondary aromatic life. Forest floor, sweet leather, excellent color, bright aromas, resolved tannin. It makes me think of '66 Latour, a vintage favorite. Off the 66s, probably top 3-4 of vintage. — 11 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Definitely the most broadly appealing and well-rounded of the Alvear range. Fruit-driven and concentrated, decidedly less salty and mineral-forward as the entry level Fino. Rounded, complex mouthfeel with nice slow-building acidity that coats the palate very well from front to back. Quite dominated by youthful yeasty aromas that are remarkably similar to fresh baked bread. It’s relatively dry and fresh but would work beautifully with sharp cheeses. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

Quick funny story:
Christine & I are LUCKY to have Kelly work in our office but we are BLESSED to be able to consider her and Darryl as dear friends.
We recommended to Kelly, prior to her going on vacation in Charleston SC, that they should stop by the Belmont hotel. They have a bar and restaurant that is 2nd to none in that area. Christine & I LOVE it!!!! Kelly sent me a quick text to say “hey, we’re at the Belmont! And about to have dinner!”
Being the goof ball that I am..... .....I called the Somm and said “I don’t care what they ordered, bring them a Shafer Hillside Select with some age on it!!!”. 10 minutes later he was decanting a 2003 Hillside Select table side! I love that hotel! Incredible service, incredible food and always a phenomenal experience! The only thing better are-our friends that are there right now!!!!

I didn’t Have a drop of this wine but I am scoring it a 10 based on experience alone!! It must have been “Badass in a Glass” as I always say!
I’ll let Kelly and Darryl fill in the official tasting notes!
by the way Kelly: don’t love SC tooooooo much, Christine & I can’t operate that place without you! See you next week! 👍👏👏👏👏👍
— 7 years ago

with Christine

Christopher Fowler

9.0

Opened this a few days ago. It was entirely too fancy too guzzle on a school night after a difficult work day, but I saw it and I wanted it and I make no apologies. Elegant. Enough tannin to keep me on my toes. Pairs well with hamburgers and running out of fucks to give. #laterwine — 8 years ago

with Michael

Amanda Cripe

9.6

Another beauty from Napa! Dark cherry with the ever so slight taste of leather. High tannis and medium acid work well together to bring out the red berry flavors. This wine would pair extremely well with spaghetti or a fine steak! — 9 years ago

with Leora

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.5

Had to take a picture of this in front of an apple tree, it is so pure, like a perfectly fresh picked piece of fruit, cold and covered in dew. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.8

The 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche is a transcendent bottle, wherein no one element dominates, it's in absolute harmony, not unlike a great piece of music or art. It has pronounced power, and is at the same time weightless and ethereal. Layers of crushed raspberries, currants, blackberries and plum give substance to more fleeting layers of exotic spice, minerals, rose petals, black tea, and fresh alfalfa hay, all of which crescendos in a seemingly endless finish. A profound wine. — 9 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.2

So, I agree with all that Nathaniel wrote, except I would add wet to the floral aspect, which along with the interesting barrel selection likely accounts for the musk, which becomes very obvious after 20 or so minutes in the decanter (I like!). I also appreciate the mouthful of subtle complexity that teases a very long finish but dissipates at the 3/4 point making it work well with oysters, shrooms, tuna (Brett Jenning's amazing Elaine's, in Chapel Hill, NC; go there & drink this wine!!!)! Amazing wine at at this $ point!! PS miss my buddy Damon (bartender) but Jared (newer guy) is doing well and very accommodating! — 10 years ago

terroirista-cy

9.3

Tasting with Olek Bondonio
His wines are true expressions of the land and specially his Barbarescos are showing the quality of Olek's "work" less is more.
— 10 years ago

with Christos

David De Vleeschauwer

9.2

After a hard of work. Some VINO & a pack of french fries from the 'frituur'. — 10 years ago

Andrew Benn

10

2005
Drank with Ron and Howard along with filet mignon and Andy baked figs:

1 basket of figs - halved
Balsamic - brush on open face of fig
Coppa - one piece to cover fig
Laura Chenel goat cheese - dollop on each fig half to cover coppa
Bake 8 minutes at 450
Remove, plate, drizzle with wild honey
Serve — 11 years ago