Shay A

9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.4

Wow! What a treat- real flavors of grapefruit and blood orange- but not overwhelming. — 4 years ago

Austin Moberg

9.0

Got 13 old vintage Firestone beers of various years and names from a coworker this was the only year and beer I got two of so figured I’d crack it open. Tastes of brandy, coffee, toffee, and dark chocolate with no bite at the end like a flavorful brandy with no bite super interesting and excited for the other various firestone vintage beers I received — a year ago

Philip Patston

8.9

Only available in Wisconsin, beers from New Gladys have a semi cult status. A decent lager to be fair. — 4 years ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.3

Lovely Cab. Still so much fruit in this one. Went lovely with steaks. — 5 years ago

Somm 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. — 5 years ago

Katie Fester

9.0

Very drinkable at Love & Salt — 3 years ago

Peter Zandbergen

9.5

Two beers with two years past due date, this is when it starts to express its complexity. Love this! — 3 years ago

Ben Christen

9.4

Cool climate cab. Delicious. One bottle became two. — 4 years ago

with Ellen

David Kline

9.5

Palm frond, light olive essence, smoky-sweet petrol resonance over poppyseed pastry, rhubarb-wild strawberry cream, lemon custard, and palmyra. Lemon lime zippy while racing across the tongue, with grapefruit zest, lime zest and raspberry sizzle. Gorgeous and lean. Two palms up! #palmerandco #palmerandcochampagne #champagne #bubbles #Reims #àreims #brutchampagne #brutreserve — 5 years ago