Henry Fuseler

9.3

8/2023. So good. Full of flavors and so nice on the palate. Paired well with the duck served at Hall’s Chophouse. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Love Charles Pinots. I do like the Doctors Vineyard from Santa Lucia slightly over the Russian River.

I hold these 5-6 years from bottling, not vintage before I start drinking his Pinots. Excellent Floral fruits, strawberries, pomegranate, dry cranberries, some blackberries, haunting raspberries, cherries, red cola/licorice, dry crushed rocks, fresh to dryish herbs, mid dark spice, vanillin, nutmeg, soft cinnamon, limestone marl, hints of fresh tobacco, wood shavings, red, dark, blue flowers framed in violets. Rainfall acidity with excellent tension, well balanced, nicely structured, floral and polished finish. — 2 months ago

Thomas Nies

9.5

Love this wine! Perfect with barbecue sauce. — 3 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Positively delicious 8 year old #westernaustralia #shiraz. Unlike many Oz Shiraz, legitimate varietal aromas of smoked meat, black olive, black/purple fruit, leather. Gratifying acidity on palate balances out rich dark fruit, finishing with coffee notes, a touch of black pepper and fine tannins. Excellent wine. — 3 months ago

TriShan

9.2

Let it breathe and it’s easy drinking. Nice fruitiness, smooth, good with cheese, nuts, and salami. Would get again — 20 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 2017 Russian River is drinking better at this stage than the Doctors Vineyard. Round, better integration, smoother. Perfect ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, some pomegranate, both licorices-more black, mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, feels like their might have been some stem inclusion, caramel & vanilla notes, light tarriness, limestone minerals, volcanics, beautiful dark, red florals. Excellent acidy. Nicely balanced and polished finish that lasts nearly two minutes. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Charles still makes my favorite new world Malbec. Ten years old the better. But, the drink nicely young. Just lush, ruby, rich and elegant on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, glorious raspberries, dark cherries, some strawberries. Both light and dark colas/licorice. Dry brush, dark chocolate, rich dark soil, medium baking spices, caramel, some pepper, violets for days, great acidity and a very well balanced, polished finish that lasts minutes. — 2 months ago

Justin Whitley

9.5

Corey’s birthday dinner at American Elm. We both loved this wine. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.

The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus. — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

This deep-pink rosé made with whole-cluster Grenache, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel grapes is absolutely dynamite!

Produced by Forlorn Hope, from the organically-farmed Rorick Heritage Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County, CA.

It bursts onto the palate with juicy watermelon, hibiscus, white tea, raspberry, strawberries and cream, opening up to a textural mouthfeel, made fresh with bright acidity. It’s delicious.

Cheers to high-quality, small-batch producers that are carving a new path in California! — 3 months ago