Shay A

9.2

As a lover of Solera/perpetual reserve wines, this intrigued me…as far as I know, this is the first Solera champagne I’ve had where the perpetual reserve is coming from the red wine (Pinot noir), not the base wine.

50 chard/ 35 Pinot noir/ 15 Pinot meunièr; 7g/l dosage

Faint copper hue in the glass (not a deep vinous style rosé). Initial reaction is this reminds me a bit of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Rosé (which I love), but just a touch less layered. Very “big-house” in style. Plenty of toasted croissant, strawberries, and even some sweet spices. More red fruit on the palate but there’s also some apricot. With air, oxidized apple type notes show. The finish has a strawberry shortbread vibe alongside a classical mineral/chalk profile. I’m sure this would still be tasty if you cut the dosage in half, but it works for this wine (and the texture/broad feel on the palate from the dosage show nicely). — 13 days ago

Matt Bucklin

9.0

Thanks @Charles (Chad) Bucklin and @Rare Wine Co. — 4 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.3

Wonderful. — 4 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

Moderate purple in color with aromas of blue and black fruit accompanied by charred meat, smoke, licorice, and a nice floral lift. On the palate, there is mixed berry fruit and a bit of black olive leading to a long, peppery finish. It’s medium to full bodied with fine grained tannins and 14.5% alcohol. Winemaker Charles Smith co-fermented a blend of 96% Tablas Creek clone Syrah and 4% Viognier sourced from River Rock vineyard with élevage in 30% new oak. Despite the Northern Rhône style blend, it’s very much a fruit forward, though nicely balanced, New World style wine. $50. — 7 years ago

with Drew and Kelly

Severn Goodwin

9.1

2009 | Pinot Noir
Earl Charles Francois et Fils; Les Epenottes 1er Cru
Burgundy; Côte de Beaune, Beaune, France
(90-92; Drink 2021-29)

Paired with local, hickory smoked pork chops, Kinderhook Farm Columbia Co NY! — a year ago

Trixie

9.1

Great with real orange or lemon 🍋 juice and club soda. Nice orange flavouring. 🍊

•41.3% ABV• July 30, 2021 — 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

Shay A

9.2

One of the bottles I provided for a co-hosting with Mark at the City Club wine group. The starter before Mark’s 1979 Schramsberg mag and 1980 Montelena mag.

Tasty, but I found this different than the 2014 (still haven’t popped the 2015). Salmon color in the glass with a dash of pink. Faint strawberry marscapone, red berry fruit aromatically. Layers of strawberries and a distinct mineral and rose note, but this seemed lighter and less fruit forward than the 2014. Lovely finish. I felt the 2014 had loads of time ahead of it when I had it, but for me, this seemed either in an odd spot or at a point where it’s time to enjoy. I’d wager it’s more of the former. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

I picked up 6 of these and 6 of the Palmer BdB last Fall and just polished off my last one of the Brut Reserve, as these come across as more accessible and less complex than their BdB sibling.

These champagnes are fairly new to the US (though not new across the pond), so I’m starting to see them more and more. This champagne reminds me of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve “lite”. It pours golden in the glass with plenty of toasty/yeasty notes, alongside truffle honeycomb and sea salt. The palate trends more towards the rich side yet finishes lighter than expected. Some nougat, golden delicious apple, caramel and lemon pastry. Not the most complex champagne, but it’s enjoyable on its own and has been a solid everyday/house champagne the last 6-8 months. — 4 years ago

Michelle Stephan

9.0

Dinner it’s my brother at Tupelo Honey Union Station Denver, Co. nice drinking merlot. Not too bold and no oak. — 6 years ago

with Michael