Adam Kincaid

9.2

Deep, complex, quite moody. This wine waxes philosophic with thick notes of chili powder, vanilla, blueberry, and hoisin sauce. Jammed blackberries and blueberries too. — 2 years ago

with Jillian

MDB

9.0

Good acidity — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Charles strikes again.

I said weeks ago, I’d rather drink Charles Hendricks Pinot in futures @ $75 vs. the 09 Marcassin we had two weeks back @ $150+ winery or $225+ on the secondary market. This 14, while still young, proves that point and will only continue to get better.

It’s about as luxurious as Ca Pinot gets. Just supple, soft & elegant as body gets. Candied, floral fruits of ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, lean purple fruits, dry cranberries, strawberries, plums, delicate but darks spices, cinnamon stick, vanillin, nutmeg & touch clove, salted caramel, mocha powder, limestone & grey volcanics, dry crushed rocks hints of peppered grilled meats, fresh & dry tobacco, dry stems/twigs, sage dominated dry Provence herbs, splash of mint/eucalyptus, tree sap with bright candied, fresh & slightly withering florals of; dark, red, purple, blue set in a field of violets & some lavender. The acidity is perfect. The long finish is; extremely well balanced & polished, elegant, fresh, just the right amount of candied with a long, dark spice finish in the long set.

The 14 really started to excel after an hour plus in the decanter.

Photos of; the outside of the Hope & Grace tasting room in downtown Yountville where you will find Charles Hendricks wines. He makes Hope & Grace wines as well. One of my favorite paintings that used to sit behind their tasting bar but, is now in Charles house. It is very Pollock like! Winemaker/Co-owner Charles Hendricks and a vineyard in region of the Santa Lucia Highlands. — 4 years ago

Bree Falcon

9.0

The 2015 Insignia is densely hued with rich dark fruit, cocoa powder and fragrant dried flower notes. Velvety texture and weight on the palate with layers of juicy black plum, Madagascar vanilla and bergamot. Bold, creamy and supple with integrated tannin structure and a lengthy finish. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

For me, the Joseph Phelps Pinots have improved over the last 5 years. The 2011 vintage overall in Sonoma/Napa is far from my favorite. The growning season was simply not that good (too cool) and Joseph Phelps was still finding their way with their Pinots. This drinks easy and smooth but, nothing about it really stands out on the palate.

On the nose, sweet, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, black cherries, touch of blackberries and wafting blueberry notes. Light vanilla & cinnamon, black cherry cola. dark, rich sweet soil, hint of smoke/savory meat, limestone, dry crushed rock powder, black tea and dark fresh & withering flowers.

The body is medium edging toward full. It’s round, ripe and lush. It’s a good time to open your 11 JP Pinots and drink up. Their 11 Pinots aren’t waning but, not going to improve. The mid palate also leans a bit. Sweet, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, black cherries, touch of blackberries, pomegranate,, dry cranberries and wafting blueberry notes. Light vanilla & cinnamon, light medium intensity dark spice, black cherry cola. dark, rich sweet soil, hint of smoke/savory meat, limestone, dry crushed rock powder, black tea and dark fresh & withering flowers. The acidity is beautiful due to the cool climate. The finish is good, balanced, smooth, dances with elegance but doesn’t dazzle. Finishes a little short.

Photos of; their Sonoma Pinot vineyard, Sonoma Visitor Center which, is now closed and a couple shots of their Rutherford tasting room.

Each year since 12, the quality of their Pinots has inched up in quality and are more cellar worthy. — 6 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.4

Rose and mint, cocoa powder, red berries, cherry pit, iron, dry pine. More ethereal than dense, though it is balanced and long, light and energetic. Shows the vintage, in the most lovely way. Tasted blind at the domaine. — 6 years ago

Steven Lee

9.5

Classic aged wine. Smooth, light mineral and bubblegum feel with back soy and hoisin sauce taste. Abit sweet. Chalky and talcum powder after long decant — 6 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

2016 Vintage - out of 375ml - big mulberry fruit, mint, wood-spice , coca powder,. — 3 years ago

John W

10

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, plum, cherry, blackberry, cocoa powder and spice- like a mild cumin. Reminded me of a patatas bravas sauce. On the palate full bodied and rich. On the palate, the spice and cocoa powder dominate with florals; secondary layers are present with hints of blueberry, plum, cherry, vanilla and toasted oak. Long finish with florals, berry and vanilla. Extremely elegant and complex. — 3 years ago

Jason Brater

9.1

Took 90 mins to open up. A little bramble fruit at front, then cinnamon, cocoa powder, oak, and spicy black pepper. Still tons of drying tannins at the finish. Yum. Not my standard Tuesday night sipper, but...#coronapocalypse so...why not? — 4 years ago

with Heather

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are dark & muted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plums with strawberries come on late. Lots of moist clay, dry soils, deep dark spice, crushed, rock powder, graphite, black, dry soils, hints of green bell pepper, dry herbs with blue, dark withering flowers. The acidity is round but could be better. The long finish is balanced but, for me, comes up short and a little flat.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

PBNJ, cocoa powder, blue and black fruits, capers, licorice. Medium light body. A little big for Oregon. Very nice. — 6 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

79% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cinsault, 1% Viognier. ABV 14.0%

Big & tannic, lots of cocoa powder notes.
Would like to see how this wine ages. — 6 years ago

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. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Decanted for nearly four hours.

Cornmeal crust pizza w/ our fresh ingredients over a feta cheese, spinach & tomato base w/ a good 10 year old plus Chianti Classico, I’m all in!

$30…I’m happy.

This has a beautiful, round, lush body w/ early, nice integration on the beginning drinking window. Sweet & slightly sour black cherries, blackberries, plum, blueberries mix of boysenberries & raspberries, dark melted chocolate, mocha powder, well crafted baking spices, leather, mix of fresh & dark tobacco, dry, crushed limestone, dark spice, black olive, expresso notes, mid cola, black licorice, dry twigs, dry herbs, incense, touch of grilled meats, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist, grey clay, candied florals that are fresh to slightly withering & dark, purple, blue with excellent acidity, excellent balance & length and a rich polished finish that settles on volcanics & dry earthiness.

Really enjoying the 10 vintage. — 3 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.3

Still has a lot left in the tank. After an hour it’s still opening up. Plum, blackberry, blueberry, black licorice, bittersweet cocoa powder, candied almond, kirsch. Silk jacket, refined tannins, an aorta of acidity giving life to the rest of the wine. Delicious burger wine, maybe the peak of the category. Wish I kept it til 2027. — 4 years ago

Jason Brater

9.2

Loved this. Red raspberry, red cherries, plums. A dash of cocoa powder and some tobacco notes. Spicy black pepper and some smooth tannins that dry your mouth. Really loving this. — 4 years ago

with Heather

Dawn E.

9.2

Last bottle! Rated previously!
Such a delicious wine! I have thoroughly enjoyed sampling this over the past few years. Just a little different at every stage! ☺️
BlackBerry, Blueberry, plum, vanilla, cocoa powder, molasses, and smoke ( characteristic I love)! — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Updating notes from 29 weeks ago.

On the nose, macerated & baked; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum, strawberries with raspberries painting the background. Mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, fruit liqueur notes, dark rich soil, limestone minerals, fresh & decayed red florals with bright fresh field of blue & red floral florals with violets.

The palate is elegant, rich and full. The tannins nicely softened & resolved. 60-65% resolved. There is nice; soften structure, very good balance with excellent length. The fruits are; ruby ripe blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, blue fruit mix, black raspberries, plum, creamy raspberries and hint of strawberries. The red florals & violets really shine through on the palate as well. Sweet tarry notes, dark fruit liqueur, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, some black licorice, limestone minerals, iron, tarry notes, smoke, used leather, cigar with ash, touch of dry stems, pinch of herbaceousness, dark spices, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, just hint of white pepper, blue & dark red florals, lavender with violets, good round acidity and a long, elegant, balanced finish that lasts minutes.

Better with a good meat sauce pasta than pizza. Slightly overpowered our pizza tonight. But, still delicious.

Photos of; the backside of Valdicava, one of their vineyards and Valdicava winery owner Vincenzo Abbruzzese.

Brunello’s take years to come around and why Italians hold them extra year(s) over other varietals/regions in bottle. It’s ten years before good Brunello producers wines are truly enjoyable; which is why I still have so many in hibernation. Drink through 2025. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Mark Flesher

9.5

This wine is in a really good spot right now. Pours dark blood red, some maroon tinge noted at the meniscus. The nose is grilled meat, plum, fig, ripe black cherry, perfume. Dang.... The entry of this wine still shows AMPLE fruit, a touch youthful. Cherry blossom perfume, black cherry core, a touch of earth, almost a slight essence of cocoa powder, very weighty and even slightly acidic. The front was more of black cherry fruit, middle more of a plum and fig. The finish is lengthy, includes ample fruit, tannin, black pepper, and finishes for about 60 seconds at the least. Dang! Rating of 95 easily here. — 6 years ago