Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Proof that, indeed, there is truth in wine.

While Heidi Barrett makes her only Chardonnay and Spring Mountain Cabernet for Fantesca, my understanding is she will not make Pinot Noir. That responsibility falls on Fantesca’s Associate Winemaker Tony Arcudi, who also makes wine under his eponymous label in addition to consulting for Kapcsandy.

Fantesca’s 2014 King Richard’s Reserve is sourced from a selection of prime vineyards in Russian River Valley including Bacigalupi, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli. Reminiscent of my experiences with Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. A rich, yet beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that juxtaposes lush raspberry and black cherry against a backdrop of herbs, flowers, and forest floor. The balance between opulence and restraint is where the beauty lies. — 6 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

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2013 vintage. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. AVA Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley. 24 months French oak (74% new). Consulting winemaker Celia Welch. Dark red with a hint of purple at the rim. Graphite, slightly jammy black fruits, spices and flowers in the nose. Layers of dark juicy fruit, fresh acidity and a firm, but rather soft tannic structure. Mineral finish. Surprisingly generous and supple for a Diamond Mountain cab. Very good indeed. Growing in the glass. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

A powerful, authoritative wine, the 2012 Paveil de Luze is shaping up to be one of the under-the-radar gems of the year. Earthy and smoky notes add nuance, but it is the wine's explosive, deep personality that stands out most. Expressive floral, savory and ferrous notes meld into the expressive finish. Although the 2012 is more power than finesse, it offers exceptional balance and tons of personality. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. This is an impressive effort from Paveil de Luze, a Margaux property that could probably be a classified growth. Simon Blanchard is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

The 2012 Haut-Ségottes makes a strong impression. An exuberant yet mid-weight wine, the 2012 possesses striking aromatics, no hard edges and enough depth to drink well for at least a handful of years. This is a gorgeous, under the radar Saint-Emilion that delivers the goods. Hubert de Boüard is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

This was a really fun follow up to the duo of 2010 Saint-Damien’s. Same consulting wine maker (P. Cambie). Consistent with my previous experiences with this wine, it was beguiling from the start. Lush, amazing example of Grenache with brambles for days and while that sounds like this is massively fruit forward (and it is) it’s just so pure that you can’t help but fall head over heals for it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this was my last bottle. Tremendous. — 6 years ago

Justin Wittkopf

9.6

Killer wine here. Such pure fruit expression, great balance and tannin profile. So a big step up from previous vintages with the addition of François Peschon as consulting winemaker over Celia Welch. Well done! — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.4

Great owner. Great consulting winemaker. Great juice. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

From Magnum, which I suspect was mis-priced by the retailer as a 750ml. Any leeriness regarding the vintage was assuaged by the reputation and location of the producer. Keenan has been producing Spring Mountain juice since 1977. Nils Venge has been consulting Michael Keenan since 1994, and his hand is evident. Really hits its stride at two hours. Reminiscent of Cathy Corison's 2011, the wine opens with beautifully roasted poblano peppers, which leads into a stunningly authentic mole sauce replete with a full array of Mexican spices. All of which sets the stage for the fleshy black cherry. They definitely included some valley floor fruit, but the mountain fruit is more than evident, providing structure and ultimately responsible for a finish which leaves everything dusted in artisanally sourced Peruvian cocoa powder. Definitely going back for all the rest tomorrow. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

With all due respect to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this is the original Donjon. Claire Fabre represents the third generation in charge at Le Vieux Donjon. Founded in 1966 by her grandfather Marcel Michel, and run by her parents Lucien and Marie José Michel from 1979 to 2008. Prior to taking the reins, Claire interned with Harlan Estate in Napa. Consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie also lends his services. Despite the Harlan/Cambie associations, Le Vieux Donjon is old school, through and through, and ascribes to the traditionalist principle of "one estate, one wine." The 2010 does not disappoint. While there's clearly a smoked mesquite overtone that permeates throughout and continuously, the plum, black cherry, kirsch, black olive, lavender, dried Provençal herbs, tar, and cured meat entangle thoroughly. The result is an incense that doesn't quit. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.1

The 2012 Joanin Bécot is dark, open and quite seductive. Black cherry, plum, spice and leather all meld together in a very pretty, gracious wine with soft contours to drink now and over the next handful of years. The 2012 is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Jean-Philippe Fort is the consulting winemaker. This is a gorgeous wine that delivers superb quality as well as value. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago

Andrew Keenan

9.5

Moore's. 2015. $13 on special. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.3

2018 Fall dinner for the Confrerie St Etienne.

It was a treat for me to explain this wine and the hands that helped create it. A true tribute to Ulises Valdez who left us too soon. His relationship with Mark Aubert extended here as Mark was the consulting winemaker (alongside UV’s daughter, who has sense left to attend UC Davis). Bright and ripe black cherry. Lots of baking spice with acidity to carry for a while. Candied licorice and cranberry. Wonderful representation of this famed vineyard. — 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Okay one more I’m consulting my notes on. This deserves so much attention. It is one of those mystical wines that somehow gives you all the pleasant sweet flavors—honeysuckle, candied lemon and so on, without being sweet. Magic bubbly made by an amazing woman! — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.3

The 2015 Tour Saint Christophe was impressive from barrel and is equally impressive from bottle. Red cherry/raspberry jam, exotic spice and floral notes fill out in a sumptuous, racy Saint-Émilion loaded with personality. Even with all of its overtness, the 2015 retains a good bit of freshness as well. This is a fabulous showing from a property that continues to improve under the stewardship of owner Peter Kwok and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2018) — 7 years ago

JKT

8.9

GL tasting Pape Clement 10/18/17. Means tall oak tree. 60 Merlot 40 cab. Three vintages. '15 Nose of black berries and palette that's straightforward with some earthiness and medium finish. 8.8. 2010 nose that's black fruit and body with hints of wood and good structure. 8.9. 2005 nose that's complex with that autumnal secondary notes of age and good structure on palate and long finish. Rewards of aging. 9.0. Roland consulting previously but more moving away from me oak. — 8 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.6

* appearance: moderate violet
* aromas: black cherry, plum, mocha, cinnamon, vanilla bean
* palate: soft with sweet, juicy red fruit
* structure: medium+ body, medium+ tannins/fine, medium acidity, 14.6% alcohol,
* finish: soft
* winemaking: proprietary right bank Bordeaux style blend made from 55% Merlot from Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, 22% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Vineyard, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon from Farella Vineyard, and 5% Petit Verdot from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard by winemaker Benoit Touquette and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Mike Ancuta

9.1

Uses all 5 Bordeaux varietals. Still a little bit of tightness to it. Has a core of black fruit along with notes of cedar, chocolate, and a little earthy note to it to bring it all in. Aging potential. Paul Hobbs consulting. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.1

The 2012 Petit-Village is juicy, exuberant and forward, with striking palate presence, silky tannins and terrific overall balance. Sweet floral and spice notes add nuance on the gracious finish. Readers should expect a decidedly feminine, sensual Pomerol with considerable early and mid-term appeal. There is plenty to like here. The Petit-Village could very well be a sleeper of the vintage. In 2012 the blend is 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in barrel, 80% new. Julien Lavenu is the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.4

Some things l like - family, long weekends, friends and wine - Revana was started with H Barrett consulting - I buy her stuff - she seems to not be part of winery of late - but I have 09 and 10s that she was the winemaker consultant - now a new winemaker but still purchased 12 and 13s. I bet I got the history lesson wrong but what I was told but enough bs -decanted for 90 minutes - love the nose with cherries vanilla and other delights plus the lady of the home says right mix of pepper and sage (not sure I can go that far) - now the initial taste - dark fruits with some added black olives - really leaving great smiles here - I bet I open another since it is a holiday weekend — 9 years ago