Mark Flesher

9.3

Man, this one gave the younger Aubert Ritchie a run for its money. This is drinking perfectly at this point. Lots of herbs and yellow peach on the front with probably less acidity than it had a few years ago. Very rounded and full bodied mouthfeel. A little bit of kiwi and pear. Toward the finish, this one still showed a tiny bit of astringency. With the right aging, I think this one still has another three to five years and it without a doubt. Definitely not over the hill, although I would say this one is really close to peak. — a month ago

with Dan, Bradley and 2 others

Tuckeru Tucker

9.4

Love this one! First had at Doug Price's birthday — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A little background first. Marsanne is one of the world’s rarest grape varieties originating in the Northern Rhone and Hermitage regions of France. It is grown in only 3 other countries, Australia, USA and Switzerland. Tahbilk holds the largest and oldest single holding of the variety in the world. Located in Central Victoria 120 kilometres north of Melbourne and originally established in 1860. Purchased by the Purbrick Family in 1925 and now run by the 5 th generation of that family. As to the wine itself - Mid Lemon in colour. Nose of citrus, honeysuckle and a touch of mouldy oranges. On the palate medium to full bodied - Marsanne is one of those white varieties that put on weight with age. Verging on unctuous like other Rhone varieties like Roussanne and Viognier. Amazing QPR - I paid $15 for this at Dan Murphys. They have another Marsanne cuvée of vines planted in 1927 which is a bit dearer. I wish I had bought a dozen! Delicious! — 3 months ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

Blackberry, big blueberry, a bit of raspberry, and loose, fuzzy tannins here... Ten years after the 2009 vintage, this one's still got a bit of room to run... That said, I wouldn't call this one tight... The Syrah contributes some pepper... I'll admit that Syrah-Cabernet isn't my favorite blend, but it was great revisiting this one after a memorable visit to the tasting bar at the winery over seven years ago with my buddy... We hit Naramata every summer, and though we've started sticking with our favorites, this place likely deserves a return visit. — 4 months ago

with Anita

Delectable Wine

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9.4

Ric Forman's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is all class. The 2016 won't be ready to drink for at least another few years, but it is already super attractive, and also very typical of Ric Forman's style. Lavender, spice, and red cherry run through this wine made in a mid-weight, translucent style that is all class and finesse. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— a month ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Because who doesn’t love to celebrate national Cab Franc day? @rudiuswines is Brittany & Jeff Ames label. Jeff was an early understudy to Thomas Brown, working on Schrader, Maybach, and Outpost amongst others while he developed his own client list, including Tor Kenward, Boich, and Anthem. It’s worth noting that the wines Jeff has produced for Tor have been some of my favorites for at least a decade.

The 2014 Rudius Cabernet Franc Sugarloaf Vineyard Napa Valley envelopes your plate with a captivating display of mouthwatering raspberry, savory loam, sweet tobacco, and just the right hint of bell pepper before the cocoa powder dusted finish rocks your world. Delicious is an understatement. This was so spectacular I opened it two nights in a row (run don’t walk to Sunshine and steal it for $40). #delicious #rediculouslydelicious — 3 months ago

Timothy Lynch

9.2

Just terrific! Definitely at the youthful point of its journey—a lot of sap and predominant plumb—but certainly all else in place to suggest a wonderful run of 5 to 8 years in the cellar. An easy pour for Thanksgiving 2019 from this 2018 vintage.
🇺🇸🦃🇺🇸 — 3 months ago

Naomi P.R.

9.5

Excellent after just a few minutes open at room temp. No sticky sweetness, plenty of spices, no sharp or squeaky tannins. I would love to run this by some friends and see what they think. 😊 Enjoying this with/splashed over some home-cooked ground lamb. So glad I tried it once again. Imported by Trinchero Vineyards, California. — a month ago

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. — 3 months ago

Kevin Løk

9.0

Bright like that sun and sea breeze in Cassis, but has real weight to it, too. Would be €9 over there but it’ll run you $37 at Houston Wine Merchant. Fair price, perhaps, for a very hard to find appellation. I want to say that there’s a real sense of place to this wine, but maybe only because I have been to the place. In any event it has transported me back to the shores of the Mediterranean, and maybe it will do the same for you, too. — 4 months ago

with Caroline