William Feinstein

9.4

06 Viader - unfortunately kicked 07 Nickel and Nickel State Ranch - flat. 08 Hundred Acre Fortunate Son - third time’s a charm. Inky dark purple in the glass. Fresh roses on the nose with a hint of cayenne. Definitely a fruit bomb but has tons of depth and character. — 4 years ago

with Maryalice

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

Amanda Henry Godino

9.6

Delicious with lamb chops — 8 years ago

James Parker Huston, CWE

Sommelier Charlie Palmer

9.5

Rare Viader Bottling. I wish I had more. — 9 years ago

Jeff Petrone

9.7

2011 Vintage Smelling like roses. Tasting like dried plums on a summer day....but it’s winter. Getting a little smoke in there but then again it could be the fire I have going. Wish I had one more bottle... — 4 years ago

Jason Duff

9.6

Beautiful wine. 52% can, 44%syrah, 3% Syrah, 1% Cab Franc. Just a perfect blend. — 6 years ago

Eric

8.9

Second label Viader Cab Franc. Decent, not amazing. — 7 years ago

Eric

9.5

If you haven't had it, gotta try it. Unique and outstanding. — 8 years ago

Eric

9.2

Super oaky next to the Viader but still outstanding. Very smooth despite the young age. A little lighter on the fruit that most Cali cabs, in my view anyway. Love how concentrated it is. — 8 years ago

Carl Johnson

9.0

Floral, leather, nice — 9 years ago

Katie Myers Henshaw

9.1

Great with chipotle rubbed pork and peppers, decanted an hour but really hit its stride after about 90 min. — 11 years ago

with Robb

Cary Silverman

9.5

Incredible right out of the bottle — 5 years ago

with David

Joseph LaPanna

9.4

Only black from edge to edge. Intense aromas of black fruit plum compote, black pepper and vanilla. The ripeness of the fruit brings natural acidy to the party of black and blue fruit. The finish hangs on for an eternity with dried herbs, dusty gravel and molasses. If Darth Viader drinks wine, this would be his favorite! — 6 years ago

Eric

9.3

Best Pinot I've ever had. Hard to come back after Viader. — 8 years ago

Eric

8.9

This is a Viader 1999 100% Cabernet Franc! Special bottle and label. See picture. — 8 years ago

laura brewer

9.1

All Malbecs should aspire to this... — 8 years ago

Noelia Garcia

9.3

Surprise Birthday tasting — 9 years ago

with Christopher and Chef

Ned Clark

9.6

Lovely. Drank from 375 — 10 years ago