Chris Wheaton

9.5

Very early to drink this one but wow! Purple and savory with plum/olive notes. Some nice acidity and present tannins. Check back in ten years or so… — 4 months ago

Jeff Miller

8.9

Classic California Zin from one of the top producers of this grape varietal. Notes of black pepper, ripe blue and black fruits (wild blueberry, blackberry) and plum skin. On the riper, jammier side of the scale, but it was well balanced with a freshness on the palette that kept me coming back for more. Delicious wine. — 5 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

Very enjoyable wine with some cedar and black fruits on the nose, black fruits on taste, long finish and think best time to drink it. Visited the winery many times back in the day. — 5 years ago

with Barbara

Jerry Raphael

8.9

Dang good Chard, not super complex but very drinkable. Been open sitting in my fridge for 3 weeks or more. Must’ve sprayed it. Every time I think I’m over Pali drinkers they pull me back in. — 3 years ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

10

Gardner Dunn full of fun Back in Chicago for the first time since Feb 2020… Yikes! The Windy City sure missed you. Kicked it off with a little Nobu Sake to Me, Sushi & Sunshine Laughs. — 5 years ago

Keaton Kail

9.3

Fireside red. Layers of structured purple and red fruit with a pillowy texture. First time with this producer and I’ll be coming back. — 5 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.0

This is some weird juice. Nose that I’ve never experienced. Actually had to pour my glass back into the bottle for next day, then decant for 4 hours
Parker 97 — 6 years ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Another Pinot I’ve had several btls of and somehow not yet rated….love this and I’m not sure I’ve had a wine this old in better shape…for that I credit the twist off cap. Very sparkly on opening but mellows quickly, excellent cherry fruit, just a touch acidic on the back end. I think another Loring connected producer — 4 years ago

Dan Michael

9.2

Another spot on wine from Morgan, I love the back label story about his grandmother passing along the love of wine in their family. Grenache is so much about how it is grown, and the sourcing for this wine delivers great fruit. The winemaking is restrained which lets the fruit shine thru. What a lock with our Applewood smoked baby back ribs! — 5 years ago

Somm 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. — 6 years ago