Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The ‘Bossman’ is a stunning blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Viognier that was aged for twenty five months in 60% new French oak before bottling. High toned white flowers combine with lavender and blackberry compote on this expressive nose. The palate is deep, layered and exceptionally good as the wine delivers rich black fruits that mingle with shades of creosote, baking spices and mocha. Fantastic in its youth, the ‘Bossman’ tells you that it has a long way to go in the bottle. Drink 2019-2035- 94
— 3 hours ago

Lyn Farmer

9.1

There is a deceptively light richness about this wine - silky, full body but still very elegant. Good acidity for a rousanne with lemon zest, dry honey, quince and pear plus a lovely herbal quality that keeps it well balanced with both depth and finesse. It closes on a long finish with a saline mineral note. — 19 days ago

Ron R

9.4

Overall, this presents clean and laser-focused. Minerality such as rocks and stones frame what is a textbook Montrachet clone. Citrus fruits are front and center in this example - a super effort from Cali.
Thanks again to @Paul T- Huntington Beach for a great reco! — a month ago

with Anne-marie

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.3

Seriously dark with bursting aromatics of violets, black raspberry, coal and cocoa. Just insanely decadent and perfectly firm. I want to drink one of these each year over the next 15 years. It is so good now but I can only imagine what it will be in the future.
Am I the only one who thinks the Pisoni crew is making even better Syrah than Pinot? Call it croZes hermitage blind with new world richness — 4 days ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.1

2015 vintage. Dark and exotically aromatic. Fig, mullberry, blueberry compote, star anise, purple basil, fresh violets, allspice, incense, orange peel lifted note. Seems like there might be a little stem inclusion. Yum! — a day ago

Tyler Porterfield

9.0

I’m not usually one for California Pinots, but this one is top notch. A lot of things I like out of Oregon wines with plenty of earth and body to boot — 12 days ago

Mike Lev

9.1

Big bold up front with some grip. — 19 days ago

David Lee

9.0

Light and spicy for this producer. — 19 days ago

Neal Schaffer

9.0

This was a sneaky ghosted wedding gift. Pretty nose with ripe cherries, candied plums, pork loin, earl gray tea, potpourri, dark chocolate shavings, graphite, and ash. Mid-palate is juicy, fleshy and bright. The finish shows creamy red fruits centered in minerality and earth. You can grab this at $19.99, which is a steal for a quality Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir. Cheers! — 24 days ago

with Dana

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On a Charles Hendricks wines run here. An early finish at our rental property to attend our friends Christmas party.

Thought we’d check in on the 13. It’s still early on the Santa Lucia...needs another 3-5years in bottle.

The nose is; brooding, dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries and poached strawberries. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, just a whiff of dry herbs, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender.

The body is, rich, ripe, ruby & full. There is sandy/dusty tannin presence. The structure & tension are still quite pronounced. The length & balance are good but, still require some evolution. It is round, elegant and slides nicely across the palate. Dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries, dry cranberries, poached strawberries & in and out raspberries qualities. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, dry herbs-bay leaf, a touch mint & eucalyptus, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round and holds the slightly higher alcohol in check. The nice, fruit finish is; plush, elegant, persistent, polished and then drifts into drier earthiness & dark spice. Better things ahead for this Charles Hendricks Cuvée in 3-5 years...picks up two score points.

Photos of, the exterior of the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville, their tasting salon, one of my favorite paintings that used to sit behind their tasting room bar but, now resides in Charles house and the vineyard that the fruit for this wine is sourced in Santa Lucia. — 5 days ago