Hope & Grace
Cuvée Amor Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.
The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus.
This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.
The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus.
Tastes a lot like a Hendricks Cabernet juice that wasn’t made in 2008. Mmmm...wonder where that Hendricks juice went? On the nose; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice, rubber toy (VA) with dark dry florals & old violets. The body is full. It’s lush, ruby, ripe & graceful on the palate. Tannins are 60% resolved. The tension, structure, length are still bold. The balance is perfect bass & terrible. Fruits are ripe & slightly baked. Dark currants/ cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, blue fruits, strawberries pull up the rear, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, mocha, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice that intensities in flavor & heat, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, moist soil, bay leaf, eucalyptus, rubber toy, slight tarry notes with dark dry florals & old violets. The acidity is round & dripping. The long, rich, ruby, ripe, elegant, well balanced finish lasts & lasts. It’s tastes a lot like Hendricks Cabernet without the spend. Drinking beautifully with 7-10 ahead. This 08 would likely finish higher in a blind tasting over many much higher priced cult Napa Cabernets. WOTN! Photos of, their tasting room in the center of the town of Yountville and the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and his private label “Hendricks”, Charles Hendricks.
Tastes a lot like a Hendricks Cabernet juice that wasn’t made in 2008. Mmmm...wonder where that Hendricks juice went? On the nose; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice, rubber toy (VA) with dark dry florals & old violets. The body is full. It’s lush, ruby, ripe & graceful on the palate. Tannins are 60% resolved. The tension, structure, length are still bold. The balance is perfect bass & terrible. Fruits are ripe & slightly baked. Dark currants/ cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, blue fruits, strawberries pull up the rear, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, mocha, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice that intensities in flavor & heat, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, moist soil, bay leaf, eucalyptus, rubber toy, slight tarry notes with dark dry florals & old violets. The acidity is round & dripping. The long, rich, ruby, ripe, elegant, well balanced finish lasts & lasts. It’s tastes a lot like Hendricks Cabernet without the spend. Drinking beautifully with 7-10 ahead. This 08 would likely finish higher in a blind tasting over many much higher priced cult Napa Cabernets. WOTN! Photos of, their tasting room in the center of the town of Yountville and the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and his private label “Hendricks”, Charles Hendricks.
Mar 10th, 2018I haven't had this wine from Hope & Grace. However, I am a big fan of their Winemaker Charles Hendricks. This Cuvée has some the freshest and beautiful light & mid red fruits I've tasted in a young red. Soft, luxurious tannins as always in his reds. Great round acidity & elegance wire to wire.
I haven't had this wine from Hope & Grace. However, I am a big fan of their Winemaker Charles Hendricks. This Cuvée has some the freshest and beautiful light & mid red fruits I've tasted in a young red. Soft, luxurious tannins as always in his reds. Great round acidity & elegance wire to wire.
Aug 27th, 2017The is uniquely a non-vintage Cuvée Amor. I have it on pretty good word that when Charles Hendricks (Winemaker for both Hope & Grace & his own Hendricks label) doesn’t make his Hendricks Cabernet, this is the wine that the Hendricks fruit goes into. @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Eric Shanks
The nose reveals, round, ripe, ruby, slightly liqueured fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, blueberries, and black raspberries. Dark, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanillin, light; clove, nutmeg & dark spice, black turned earth, dark fruit cola, burnt coconut, touch of black pepper, sandstone/limestone, light fresh & dry herbaceousness-bay leaf dominant, dry, pine twig, soft mint, cherry kirsch liqueur, moist clay and extremely dark fresh, candied & withering florals with blue flowers & violets.
The body is; ripe, rich and full. The tannins are round, velvety, chewy & slightly tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance is just hitting its stride to peak form. Round, ripe, ruby, juicy & slightly liqueured fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, blueberries, black raspberries. Mulberries, poached strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Dark, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanillin, light; clove, nutmeg & dark spice, black turned earth, dark fruit cola, burnt coconut, touch of black pepper, sandstone/limestone, light fresh & dry herbaceousness-bay leaf dominant, dry, pine twig, soft mint, cherry kirsch liqueur, moist clay and extremely dark fresh, candied & withering florals with blue flowers & violets. The acidity is like a cool shower on a warm day. The long, well lingering finish is; well balanced & polished ending in soft dark spice.
Photos of; exterior Hope & Grace tasting room in downtown Yountville, interior of their tasting room, Charles Hendricks & the Hendricks Santa Lucia vineyard that he sources his Pinot Noir
The is uniquely a non-vintage Cuvée Amor. I have it on pretty good word that when Charles Hendricks (Winemaker for both Hope & Grace & his own Hendricks label) doesn’t make his Hendricks Cabernet, this is the wine that the Hendricks fruit goes into. @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Eric Shanks
The nose reveals, round, ripe, ruby, slightly liqueured fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, blueberries, and black raspberries. Dark, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanillin, light; clove, nutmeg & dark spice, black turned earth, dark fruit cola, burnt coconut, touch of black pepper, sandstone/limestone, light fresh & dry herbaceousness-bay leaf dominant, dry, pine twig, soft mint, cherry kirsch liqueur, moist clay and extremely dark fresh, candied & withering florals with blue flowers & violets.
The body is; ripe, rich and full. The tannins are round, velvety, chewy & slightly tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance is just hitting its stride to peak form. Round, ripe, ruby, juicy & slightly liqueured fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, blueberries, black raspberries. Mulberries, poached strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Dark, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanillin, light; clove, nutmeg & dark spice, black turned earth, dark fruit cola, burnt coconut, touch of black pepper, sandstone/limestone, light fresh & dry herbaceousness-bay leaf dominant, dry, pine twig, soft mint, cherry kirsch liqueur, moist clay and extremely dark fresh, candied & withering florals with blue flowers & violets. The acidity is like a cool shower on a warm day. The long, well lingering finish is; well balanced & polished ending in soft dark spice.
Photos of; exterior Hope & Grace tasting room in downtown Yountville, interior of their tasting room, Charles Hendricks & the Hendricks Santa Lucia vineyard that he sources his Pinot Noir
Smooth with vanilla finish. 16th anniversary in Cape May
Smooth with vanilla finish. 16th anniversary in Cape May
May 15th, 2020
Hope and Grace Cuvée Amor. Non-Vintage does not disappoint. Lots of deep dark fruit. A really fun well made Cuvée.
Hope and Grace Cuvée Amor. Non-Vintage does not disappoint. Lots of deep dark fruit. A really fun well made Cuvée.
Apr 22nd, 2020Hope and grace is a great go to. This bottle did not disappoint.
Hope and grace is a great go to. This bottle did not disappoint.
Aug 16th, 2015Great black fruit and graphite nose...velvety, tongue coating tannins and chewy dark fruit are compelling...
Great black fruit and graphite nose...velvety, tongue coating tannins and chewy dark fruit are compelling...
Jun 20th, 2015Brought this baby up to ski weekend and cracked it open. Drinking perfectly, I might say.
Brought this baby up to ski weekend and cracked it open. Drinking perfectly, I might say.
Feb 15th, 2015