Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 6 years ago

JKT

9.1

In Dublin hotel dinner brought by Hsing. Well made new world Aussie Shiraz with fruity well balanced nose of red fruits and cherry. Silky smooth texture for this style and long finish. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 06 vintage was more highly praised by the Bordelais than it delivered. That’s not to say, some producers didn’t deliver.

This 06 is not at its peak...still needs a few years. Will it be a wine that blows you away? Not likely but, it will deliver nice fruit, earth & balance. Especially, with a Ribeye.

The nose shows; ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry cranberries & some black plum. Saddle-wood, limestone minerals, dry stones, cinnamon, soft spice, light vanilla, black rich earth, touch of black licorice and red & dark fresh florals.

The body is round and a little lean but puts on weight with food and decanting. The structure, length & tension are falling into place. The fruits are ripe and expressive. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, haunting blue fruits, dry cranberries & some black plum. Saddle-wood, touch herbaceous, mint, limestone minerals, dry clay, dry stones, cinnamon, soft spice, cola, light vanilla, black rich earth, touch of black licorice and red & dark fresh florals. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is on the leaner side but, well balanced and lasts a full minute. 9.1 without the Ribeye, 9.2 with it.

Photos of, Duhart Milon, Cabernet ready to to be pressed, wine making facilities and their barrel room.

Producer history and notes...the Rothschild family is divided into two sects for lack of a better word. There are the ones that own Mouton Rothschild and Cleric Milon etc. and the other owns Lafite and Duhart. The two sides of the families don’t necessarily get along. However, they are two of the oldest/wealthiest families in recorded history.

Duhart Milon was originally known only as Chateau Milon. At one time the estate was the second wine of Chateau Lafite.

The story about how this came to be is interesting. The owner of Lafite at that time was the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur. King Louis XV called him “The Wine Prince” because of his extensive vineyard holdings in Bordeaux. The Milon vineyards were well regarded but, not as good as Lafite, which is how the wine came to be thought of as the second wine for Lafite.

In 1815, the property was considered by some people as a fourth growth Bordeaux wine in the making. In those days, the wine was sold under the name of Chateau Mandavy-Milon. Between 1830 and 1840, the Casteja family inherited the estate.

The label of Duhart Milon, according to family tradition came about from an old legend written about one of their ancestors, Sir Duhart. Sir Duhart, was rumored to have been a pirate for Louis XV. He retired in Pauillac. The “Pirate’s House” on the Pauillac port existed up to the 1950’s. That original building inspired the label for the Duhart-Milon wines.

The Casteja family remained in possession of Duhart Milon until the first part of the 20th century. At the time, Chateau Duhart Milon was one of larger Pauillac estates with around 50 hectares of vines.

In 1937, the result of successive inheritances led to the sale of Duhart Milon. The Left Bank property went through five different owners in just 25 years. As well, the vineyards were split up and with the frost of 1956, the quality of Duhart Milon continued declining until the Rothschild family purchased the property in 1962.

At that time of the sale, Chateau Duhart Milon included 110 hectares of land, of which only 17 hectares were planted with vines. The entire vineyard was in desperate need of replanting. Major renovations were urgently needed in the vineyards, which demanded work on the drainage and replanting.

The size of their vineyards were also increased with the purchase of other parcels adding to the size of their Medoc holdings. New cellars needed to be built as well.

Chateau Duhart Milon remains one of the few 1855 Classified Growth estates without an actual Chateau. At Duhart, all you will find are the cellars, vatting rooms and barrel storages.

During the period of 1970 to 2000, the vineyards nearly doubled in size! Additionally, they constructed new cellars, renovated and modernized their wine making facilities as well in 2003. By 2008, the wine of Duhart Milon increased in quality, stature and price.

Much of the price increase had to do with the association with Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which had by that time, become the most in-demand, collectible wine in China. By the time the 2015 vintage was offered, prices had dropped to a more affordable price level due to changes in Chinese laws regarding client gifts/bribes.

The 152 hectare vineyard of Chateau Duhart Milon includes; 76 hectares of vines planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. This makes Chateau Duhart Milon one of the few 1855 Classified Growths with only two grape varieties planted in their vineyards.

The average age of the vines are 30 years old. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 7,500 vines per hectare.

Duhart Milon vineyards are located in northern Pauillac, on the western side of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, on the Milon hillside, which is not far from the Carruades plateau...now Lafite’s second wine. This places the vineyard quite close to Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Clerc Milon. However, because of micro climates, this is a slightly cooler terroir, due to its northern exposure.

The naturally cooler soils provides more freshness to the wine, and allows for later picking. The terroir of Chateau Duhart Milon is a combination of gravel, sand and limestone soils. The Duhart Milon vineyards are unique in Pauillac, as the vines are for the most part, located in 1 single, large parcel.

The vinification of Chateau Duhart Milon takes place in temperature controlled stainless vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. Chateau Duhart Milon is then aged in an average of 50% new French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, depending on the vintage.

There is a second wine, Moulin de Duhart, that was created in 1986. There is also a third wine produced by the estate, Baron de Milon. — 8 years ago

Cody Short

9.1

A favorite in our house — 10 years ago

with Suzanne and Holli

Vic Petroff

9.0

In a good place. Very pleasant. — 11 years ago

Chris Leon

9.3

So fresh; tart red fruit, tomato skin, vibrant acidity. A welcomed glass of Spring in this cold. — 11 years ago

Christopher Strieter

Co-Founder, Senses Wines

9.3

Hookers House Bourbon aged in Pinot Noir barrels plus some Deadwood #winning — 12 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.2

I first drank this wine in 2004 as a 22 year-old wine neophyte—with duck confit & spaetzle at the late great Earth & Ocean in Seattle—it blew my mind. As Swift said, “I drink no memories” so how does it hold up?

Quite respectably. Opening palate is fresh, mouthwatering, the memories of great Beaujolais crus past. Mid-palate with currant & slate. Excellent acid-tannin accord, cherry liqueur finish. Glorious with roast chicken & black trumpets. — 6 years ago

with Alsu

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It’s a 375ml double dip night.

There was a time in my life, I almost never opened Champagne. Now, can’t seem to get enough.

The Ruinart Rosé has the; deeper, darker, richer fruits over the BSR but, while the chalk, sea fossils, minerals are very good, it just not as a impressive as the BSR.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves and one of their their Grand Cru vineyards. — 7 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

My new ‘ house ‘ red- mountain Nebbiolo w some Negrette(I think), a fave Carema producer- under 17$ & beautifully balanced, tart ( but check as it evolves in glass) — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.2

A new Blanc de Blancs champagne recommended to me in St Emilion @ £50-£60 and I was ms told “When the great Champagne house Salon choose not to produce a vintage, all the grapes go into Delamotte!” 😮

🏵 92-93 points

📍 Delamotte BdB Champagne 2008

🍷 Light golden straw yellow

👃 Fresh baked shortbread biscuit, saline over crushed rock minerals, baked whole lemon, green apples & creamy honey infused vanilla custard

👄 Med bodied fine bubbled mousse of citrus, grapefruit sours, green apple & dry minerals

🎯 Long sweet, sour & dry mineral filled citrus & tart green apple creamy refreshing finale

🌞 Suntastic 😎
— 8 years ago

Kim Brater

9.4

Really delicious Pinot. Burgundian style. Elegant. Cassis and muted earth. Amazing for the original price. This 2011 is long gone. Paid under $40 several years ago. Wish I had another. Hear my Dad saying in my head "Always buy two..." 😀 🍷 — 8 years ago

Charles D Cummings

9.1

Was lucky enough to be invited over to a friends house one night for wine. Was really surprised when she brought out this bottle of wine. Her mother-in-law had passed away and had a pretty good selection of wines left over. Should have decanted but I was just happy to get a glass. Full of dark berries on the nose. Had a beautiful velvety texture. — 9 years ago

Fabio Priori

9.2

England, Kingston, Chloe & G's House, Dinner, Giles, Chloe & Fab. (Very Nice, Purchased In Roma At Trimani Enoteca With Marcello ), Yum. — 9 years ago

Karen DeLand

10

Enjoyed for valentine's dinner 2017. So smooth and rich in flavor. Wonderful! Purchased for a steal on closeout - $4 (regular $45)! Wish I would've purchased more! — 9 years ago

Joy Lindholm

Sales Synergy Fine Wines

9.2

Needs time to really shine but lovely after a couple hours in the decanter. — 10 years ago

Marshal White

9.3

Combines with shepherd's pie to combat winter in May — 11 years ago

Yaroslav Rogoza

9.5

Great wine. Especially good in winter — 11 years ago

W Antinario

9.6

Had it at the new Lunda Byerlys store in Watzata. — 12 years ago

Andy Hall

9.5

Number 2 in the wine, cigars and golf weekend. Following the ‘07 Robert Foley is not easy but Vineyard House held it’s own. — 6 years ago

with Jerry

Alex Kurze

9.1

Not fruit forward nor heavy in body or overly spicy. A well balanced nice drinking wine. — 6 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

This label cracks me up every single time😃
Violet, cherry, iron, earth. A firework of a nose and no trace of any barnyard funk lately which is good improvement on the same bottles opened one year ago. The palate is well balanced with a crazy fruit, violet exploding here and there, a strong acid frame and some matter, côte du Rhône style. Gentle tannins kick off a very playful finish with violet and cherry and a lot of fun. This wine is made out of grapes grown 10 miles from the house I grew up in near toulouse and it's always a win! (pun intended) — 7 years ago

Sam Agami

10

Wow, old school perfection! California wine from a forgotten age. Pure Italian-American greatness. Reminds me of the wine my childhood landlord would make from the vines that grew behind our house just upstate from NYC. Dark fruits abundant, soft acidity and tanins, nice touch of oak, without obscuring the graps as so many California wineries are obsessed with doing for some reason these days. Found this at a random liquor store on a road trip, will seek it out now. Even better than the Cribari Chianti or Coppola Rosso, which were my previous favorite in this genre, the wonderfully underappreciated "backyard" wine... — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

About a year since I had a bottle. The largest Champagne house in France, founded in 1743 by Claude Moët. Golden straw with stone fruit aromas with citrus and honey notes. On the palate clean fresh fruit tastes BOF apple, peach and pear with lemony undertone. Great balance, good bubble bead flow, lively acidity, lingering ending with crisp mineral tones. A Fav! — 8 years ago

WineMascot

9.2

Chablis in style, a little more acid on the back would be nice. But has the right balance and hint of the pencil shaving — 9 years ago

with Erik

Lewis Chester

9.4

Krug Grande Cuvée in Double Magnum. Harry's Bar. 2004 base wine edition. Another great effort from the House of Krug. Toasty and elegant, fine bubbles, with a deepness to it that few champagnes can offer. Not at the level of the 2002 base as of yet, but delicious none the less. Acidity is balanced and works perfectly to enhance the aromas and overall long finish. Excellent as usual. I would probably hold for another 5-7 years before opening another large format from this edition. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Deep inky, almost black in color, with a dark purple rim.

Beautiful Fruity nose of figs, blueberries, blackberries, sweet plums, cherry pie, earth, leather, smoke, spices, chocolates, licorice, oak, vanilla, black pepper, herbs, spices and peppermint.

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

Fruity and dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, earth, spices, leather, smoke, chocolates, mocha, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and spices.

A very enjoyable blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petite Verdot from the house of Michael David.

Well Balanced, bold, fruity and a great sipping wine. Good for parties and also good with food like BBQ Meats.

Good right out of the bottle, but even better after an hour.

Definitely a teeth staining red wine.

14.5 %alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago

KC

9.2

Perfect with the mousse au chocolate torte my sister in law made. — 11 years ago

Tabitha Doyle

9.2

Sweet, inexpensive weekday night red. Not a serious wine. So fruity and sweet I think of it as a sangria. But it's enjoyable for what it is. Almost always have a bottle in the house. — 11 years ago

Harumph Wines

Owner Harumph Wines

9.2

Dried prune nose in the best way, dusty framboise, great acidity and tartness, nice lil funk — 12 years ago