Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First a note about the 2012 Napa vintage. Good, right? Yes. While the fruit was abundant & nicely fruity, for me, lacked tannins, skin/ fruit ratio, depth and will not cellar like 13 or 14 etc..

When I visited w/ The Stag’s Leap Winery Winemaker, he told me, they normally make 75,000 cases of Artemis. In 12, they made 100,000 cases. They grow their own fruit but also contract fruit. While there are terms in their contracts w/ growers to refuse fruit, they could not refuse any. The fruit was that good. They even had to take Artemis out of tank early so they could finish their higher end Cabernets.

This 12 JC Muds Kitchen was made by Charles Hendricks. His second to last vintage at JC. One of the more unknown & underrated Napa Winemakers. James & Coleen misstepped in the separation but understand Coleen’s reasons. Charles Hendricks Apprentice, went his own way. Can’t say I blame him, just not a fan of his post work. Ok, but not the follow up I wished.

Nose; a dark core of currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and haunting blueberries, softly, layered baking spices, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets.

The palate fruits are; ripe, juicy, fresh, dark core of; currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, haunting blueberries & pomegranate high tones. Softly, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, mid spice intensity w/ heat, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, dry leather/tobacco, graphite, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, dry crushed limestone rocks, dry oak barrel shavings, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets, near perfect acidity with a well knitted/toned/balanced, elegant finish w/ great length that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & dry minerals. — a day ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I’m a bit early opening this but have three and was curious. It will be a while before opening another.

After a double decant, it started to blossom after four hours decanted. Smooth and elegant with just the right kind of spice and soft earths on the long, elegant finish.

Better things in another 5 yrs and beyond.

Enjoyed the 2011 James Cole Malbec afterwards more. Charles Hendricks still crafts my favorite new world Malbecs. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I drank a fair amount of Regusci back in the day, but that was when Charles Hendricks was the Winemaker. His last full Regusci vintage, birth to finish was 2013. He did work most of the 2014 growing season, but didn’t vinify it. I guess if you’re going to go out 2013 is a grand vintage to do it. He trained their current Winemaker, but he makes a different style than Charles. Every Winemaker wants to do their own thing. I can’t say blame him/them, but I can decide whether I want to buy & drink them.

When I find older, well preserved Regusci vintages Charles made on the secondary market, I buy them. Not many pop-up anymore.

Owner Jim Regusci inspired the creation of “The 1932.” It is an homage to Regusci's estate vineyards and dedicated to Gaetano Regusci, who acquired the ranch in 1932. They farmed agriculture long before they made wine. First time having this bottling. 2012 is primarily Cabernet with Merlot & a splash of Cabernet Franc.

This is a classic Charles-Regusci creation. Notes after a 45 minute decant. It’s a strong 93 that pushes 94.

The nose is dark & brooding. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, some blueberries with raspberries on the edge of the glass. Steamy oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.

Ripe but with a dry-ish feel; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries that has a liqueur feel to them, ripe, juicy strawberries as it opens up further, some blueberries with raspberries hovering over the top. Shaved oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices with some palate heat, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, dry stone with dust, charcoal notes, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black, turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender. A slight burn of alcohol on the center tongue, not the back of the throat, which is a bit odd, dark & red slightly withering but candied flowers framed in prominent lavender & violets, full round acidity with a well; tensioned, structured, balanced, elegant finish that lands squarely on evolved earth, dark spice and lasts minutes.

This is still ascending and will reach its peak in three to five years. It will slowly descend over the next 5-8 years.

Photos of; their tasting room/bar, fantastic picnic area, for sale vegetable/fruit cart and a long shot of their estate vineyard & winery. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I will sound like a broken record, but this is a Charles Hendricks made wine. As I have stated, in my opinion, a very underestimated Napa Cabernet Winemaker.

Patriarch is my second favorite Regusci red wine made by him. The first is Angelo’s.

I love Napa & Bordeaux history. This family were farmers before they made wine. The farmstead cart pictured is their homage to that family history. You’ll see it every late summer as you walk up to their tasting room. Definitely buy some of their homegrown vegetables when there.

The nose reveals a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, dark spice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone, dry top soil, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets.

The palate entry is round, ripe, lush fruits with rounded, velvety M+ dryish tannins. There is, like the nose, a dark core of currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin aplenty, plum to pudding, black cherries, baked strawberries, baked blueberries and circular raspberries, dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, baking spices-cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, pronounced dark spice, anise to black licorice, mocha, caramel, dry leather, oldish tobacco, graphite, crush rocks/limestone/sandstone, dry, grey volcanic clay, dry herbs, dry top soil, mint notes, dark, red, withering flowers, red roses framed in lavender & violets, beautiful, round acidity, still has nice, evolved tension/structure, excellent balance with a flowing, elegant finish that last two-minutes and long sets on clays, earth and spice.

A coravined bottle and relaid in storage from last weekend. Cork perfect with plenty of sediment. Will hold another 2-3 yrs and drink well an additional 5-6 yrs. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Just doesn’t disappoint in any Hendricks vintage.

Last day of California Indian Summer.

@Chaminade — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I have said many times that when Charles Hendricks made James Cole from 2013 backwards, amazing.

Charles is the most under known & therefore unappreciated Napa Winemaker on the planet from my perspective.

So, when a bunch of his JC vintages appeared on the secondary market, I bought them all. They are very rare these days.

2013 an excellent vintage, small berries with excellent concentration. When I picked up the cork from the table at the restaurant, it was turned away from me. When I looked at my hand, it was heavily painted with tannins. In a way I have seldom experienced. It was so, I could have easily painted my war face. — 6 months ago

Eric L

9.3

had at Hendricks, it’s just enough fruitiness but very little — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.

Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.

It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness. — 3 months ago

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. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

HBTM! 🥳 🎉🎂 🎈

Charles Hendricks one of the most underrated Winemakers in the Napa/Sonoma/Santa Lucia areas. — 2 years ago