Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The aromatics are beautiful. The soft, mid dark spices are delicate, swooning and inviting. Slightly candied plum to pudding , blackberries, black cherries, baked strawberries, black raspberries, hint of charcoal, some of the most beautiful baking spices-gentle cinnamon, soft clove, dash of nutmeg, hint of vanillin, forest floor w/ some dry leaves, wafting, understated, dry herbs-sage, mocha powder, some caramel notes, slightly candied to withering; dark flowers, red roses framed in soft lavender & violets.

Beautifully lush entry with some powdery M dry yet velvety tannins. Slightly candied plum to pudding, blackberries, black cherries, baked strawberries, black raspberries, hint of charcoal, some of the most beautiful baking spices-gentle cinnamon, soft clove, dash of nutmeg, hint of vanillin, perhaps the most beautiful, delicately layered spices I’ve had in a red burgundy, dark chocolate baking bar to cake, moist clay with grey volcanic minerals, limestone powder, forest floor w/ some dry leaves, wafting, understated, dry herbs-sage, mocha powder, some caramel notes, slightly candied to withering; dark flowers, red roses framed in soft lavender & violets, round acidity, balance for days, gently structured/tensioned, elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes and lands on micro grained spices.

Hard not to give this a 93 but it is not quite there yet but will get there in another 3-5 yrs with a total 15 yrs plus of good drinking.

@AmbassadorHotel Split, Croatia. — 14 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

This and the rose are my favorites from Michael David. Huge wine. Explosion of fruit on the nose. Not a lot of oak/wood which is great. Smooth and drinkable. This is a great bbq wine that at or just bellow cellar temp is even better. I’d buy again — 2 months ago

Kevin Løk

9.1

For the money — wow! All #smiles — 3 months ago

with Caroline

Jeremiah Diaz

9.4

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and wood smoke; on the palate, dry with high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, full body, and pronounced intensity primary and secondary flavors of black currants, red bell peppers, black pepper, and crushed gravel with a long finish. This wine is intense and complex, but a little high in alcohol. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. It may need a little more time to open up. — 7 days ago

with Nellie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — a month ago

Donald Williams

9.5

Nice complement for both the chicken Marsala and the ribeye. — 3 months ago

with Bonnie

Cassandra Heifetz

9.7

Love the body, depth, and flavor — 4 days ago

John Greer

8.9

Consistently good everyday wine dinner — 17 days ago

Jennifer Pletcher

8.9

Warm, juicy. Lots of fruit. A hint of overripe fruit. A touch of coconut. — a month ago

Brandon Boesch

9.0

This is enjoyable in a massive CA overripe wine style! There’s a good amount of all the peppers, bell, jalapeños, white, cracked black, huge amount of purple/black fruit. Jan. Vanilla and some woodsy notes. I’d drink again. — 2 months ago