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

Ron Siegel

9.3

Showing lots of dark fruits, smoke, meat, savory spice, mineral & violets. — a month ago

Shay A

9.4

One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.

46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.

More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air. — 5 months ago

romo

9.4

Sweet and savory. Dense and sparse. Nothing and everything. — 7 days ago

Tom Barras

9.1

A Quintessential Pauillac, starting with its deeply dark appearance, black fruit aromatics and flavors, firm and balanced structure with abundant fruit, medium acidity, chalky tannins and a long finish.

Overall, the savory 2005, (one of several wines purchased to celebrate grandson Carter McMillan’s birth year), is smoothly textured, medium/full with the energy and vitality of a much younger wine, showing seductive elements of spice, smoke, currants and mocha. Pauillac aficionados, this is for you. — 11 days ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Double decant and pour(lots of sediment). A splendid medium ruby red color. On the nose: a little stewed red fruit, herbaceous, worn leather, mint, sweet smokey oak, loamy soil. Taste: smooth, elegant, savory wine with a touch of dried red fruit, dried herbs, cocoa, damp earth, minerals, and a spiced iron/meaty medium finish. YUM! Mature and on the long downside, but still drinks nicely at 28 years. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Ron Siegel

9.4

Impressive as always with its silky, elegant mouthfeel showing dark red & black fruits, cola, soy, mineral, savory spice, olive & violets — a month ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

When mature Jamet are on they’re sooo good. ‘98 is gorgeous tonight and even less evolved than a prior bottle. There’s such balance and clarity to its haunting richness wafting complex aromatics of deep blackberry fruit, smoked meats, camphor and black truffle with an elegant, satiny palate, melting tannins and a stunningly long mineral and savory finale. For my tastes, at its peak! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Another great drinking older Cali showing red, black fruit, plum with cedar, leather, sweet, savory spice & tobacco leaf — a month ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

This seems more integrated than the Hyland Vineyard, same vintage. Anyone have insight? — 9 months ago

with Sarah