Hope & Grace
Napa Valley Malbec
Napa Valley, California, USA
My favorite new world producer of Malbec. Charles Hendricks Winemaker. I’ve had nearly every vintage 2018 back to 2007…first 2006 & it’s gorgeous.
Ruby, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries with a touch of strawberries & blueberries. Dark chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, mocha, cocoa bar, malt balls, barrel pulp/powder, soft, dark spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanillin, mid berry licorice/cola, tarriness, anise, dry tobacco, dry brush/twig, limestone powder, dry top soil, candied to withering; dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets & lavender, waterfall acidity with a lush, well; rounded, knitted, evolved, softened tensioned, balanced with excellent polished & finish that lasts minutes.
My favorite new world producer of Malbec. Charles Hendricks Winemaker. I’ve had nearly every vintage 2018 back to 2007…first 2006 & it’s gorgeous.
Ruby, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries with a touch of strawberries & blueberries. Dark chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, mocha, cocoa bar, malt balls, barrel pulp/powder, soft, dark spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanillin, mid berry licorice/cola, tarriness, anise, dry tobacco, dry brush/twig, limestone powder, dry top soil, candied to withering; dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets & lavender, waterfall acidity with a lush, well; rounded, knitted, evolved, softened tensioned, balanced with excellent polished & finish that lasts minutes.
Charles still makes my favorite new world Malbec. Ten years old the better. But, the drink nicely young. Just lush, ruby, rich and elegant on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, glorious raspberries, dark cherries, some strawberries. Both light and dark colas/licorice. Dry brush, dark chocolate, rich dark soil, medium baking spices, caramel, some pepper, violets for days, great acidity and a very well balanced, polished finish that lasts minutes.
Charles still makes my favorite new world Malbec. Ten years old the better. But, the drink nicely young. Just lush, ruby, rich and elegant on the palate. Blackberries, black raspberries, glorious raspberries, dark cherries, some strawberries. Both light and dark colas/licorice. Dry brush, dark chocolate, rich dark soil, medium baking spices, caramel, some pepper, violets for days, great acidity and a very well balanced, polished finish that lasts minutes.
Jul 17th, 2023Still the best Malbec I’ve had.
Charles hit a grand slam with his 2007 Malbec.
I’m going to be lazy tonight, slow sip this bottle and really take it all in.
I’ll let my recent previous 2007 detailed notes stand.
Paired with BBQ Chicken. Marinated for 2 days well seasoned with some vinegar rather than the thick sweet style BBQ sauce.👌
10 barrels produced. 14.2% ABV.
Still the best Malbec I’ve had.
Charles hit a grand slam with his 2007 Malbec.
I’m going to be lazy tonight, slow sip this bottle and really take it all in.
I’ll let my recent previous 2007 detailed notes stand.
Paired with BBQ Chicken. Marinated for 2 days well seasoned with some vinegar rather than the thick sweet style BBQ sauce.👌
10 barrels produced. 14.2% ABV.
@Plate&Bottle
Charles Hendricks Malbec night cap!!!
If you live in & around the greater Bay Area, you owe to yourself to attend one of the dinners Hedy holds 4-5 times a year. Not only is the food amongst the very best we had, the people that attend and environment are as equally good. Find Hedy @Plate&Bottle
@Plate&Bottle
Charles Hendricks Malbec night cap!!!
If you live in & around the greater Bay Area, you owe to yourself to attend one of the dinners Hedy holds 4-5 times a year. Not only is the food amongst the very best we had, the people that attend and environment are as equally good. Find Hedy @Plate&Bottle
I know what a number of people would say, Malbec! Meh! Well this bottling would spin your head around where Malbec is concerned.
Charles Hendricks makes this for Hope & Grace and is still the finest example of Malbec I’ve had. It’s his craft, the vintage & bottle age that does it.
What a nose! The nose reveals; ripe, sweet, dark, tarry currants, robust black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, purple fruit mix heaven, black pepper, dark spice, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, steeped fruit teas, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, dark fruit liqueurs, nice herbaceousiness, black olive, wood shavings, fresh tobacco, hints of eucalyptus, vanillin, malt in malt-balls, leather, dry crushed rocks and the most vibrant, beautiful, fresh, slight candied, blue, purple, violets & lavender florals.
The body is; rich, lush, ruby and is absolutely astounding. This wine is peaking. It is velvety, candied with rounded tannin teeth. It does not get much better than this in; structure, tension, length and balance. Sweet, dark, tarry currants, robust black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, purple fruit mix heaven, black pepper, dark spice, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, steeped fruit teas, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, dark fruit liqueurs, nice herbaceousiness, black olive, dry brush, moist clay, wood shavings, fresh tobacco, hints of eucalyptus, vanillin, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, malt in malt-balls, leather, dry crushed rocks and the most vibrant, beautiful, fresh, slight candied, crazy, blue, purple (violets & lavender florals. The acidity is cool stream, palate perfect and holds the ABV. The finish is; ruby, lush, elegance defined, well knitted balance & harmony that persists to heaven.
Photos of; our backyard, birthday bouquet, autumn pumpkin and my birthday princess.
I know what a number of people would say, Malbec! Meh! Well this bottling would spin your head around where Malbec is concerned.
Charles Hendricks makes this for Hope & Grace and is still the finest example of Malbec I’ve had. It’s his craft, the vintage & bottle age that does it.
What a nose! The nose reveals; ripe, sweet, dark, tarry currants, robust black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, purple fruit mix heaven, black pepper, dark spice, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, steeped fruit teas, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, dark fruit liqueurs, nice herbaceousiness, black olive, wood shavings, fresh tobacco, hints of eucalyptus, vanillin, malt in malt-balls, leather, dry crushed rocks and the most vibrant, beautiful, fresh, slight candied, blue, purple, violets & lavender florals.
The body is; rich, lush, ruby and is absolutely astounding. This wine is peaking. It is velvety, candied with rounded tannin teeth. It does not get much better than this in; structure, tension, length and balance. Sweet, dark, tarry currants, robust black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, purple fruit mix heaven, black pepper, dark spice, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, steeped fruit teas, anise to black licorice, limestone minerals, dark fruit liqueurs, nice herbaceousiness, black olive, dry brush, moist clay, wood shavings, fresh tobacco, hints of eucalyptus, vanillin, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, malt in malt-balls, leather, dry crushed rocks and the most vibrant, beautiful, fresh, slight candied, crazy, blue, purple (violets & lavender florals. The acidity is cool stream, palate perfect and holds the ABV. The finish is; ruby, lush, elegance defined, well knitted balance & harmony that persists to heaven.
Photos of; our backyard, birthday bouquet, autumn pumpkin and my birthday princess.
The final bottle to wrap up the night and the perfect progression to follow up the Cabernet. It’s really hard for me to say which bottle was better, the Regusci Angelo Vineyard or this Malbec from Winemaker Charles Hendricks? However, I would say this is the most, beautiful, elegant and polished Malbec I’ve had. It’s peaking but, still has a lot of life left in it. I can’t believe someone was willing to sell this bottle on Wine.com for $50. It was like committing robbery winning this auction.
The mouthfeel spectacular and gorgeous. Dark creamy currants, touch of pepper, sweet dark tarry round tannins, black licorice, mocha chocolate, well layered baking spices, subtle, savory meats, rich dark earth, soft leather, touch of tobacco, fragrant purple flower with beautiful lavender notes. The acidity perfect as was the long, elegant, well balanced, rich polished finish.
The final bottle to wrap up the night and the perfect progression to follow up the Cabernet. It’s really hard for me to say which bottle was better, the Regusci Angelo Vineyard or this Malbec from Winemaker Charles Hendricks? However, I would say this is the most, beautiful, elegant and polished Malbec I’ve had. It’s peaking but, still has a lot of life left in it. I can’t believe someone was willing to sell this bottle on Wine.com for $50. It was like committing robbery winning this auction.
The mouthfeel spectacular and gorgeous. Dark creamy currants, touch of pepper, sweet dark tarry round tannins, black licorice, mocha chocolate, well layered baking spices, subtle, savory meats, rich dark earth, soft leather, touch of tobacco, fragrant purple flower with beautiful lavender notes. The acidity perfect as was the long, elegant, well balanced, rich polished finish.
Never thought I’d see the day I’d give a Napa malbec a score this high. Though age is a factor, this is the best Napa valley Malbec I’ve had. Everything in balance. I poured blind for a few people and Aussie Shiraz, Cabernet, and Napa Petit sirah were the guesses. On the nose, it shows ripe blackberries, currant, licorice (but not an overload like many Malbecs), dark chocolate shavings, mocha and some cedar. What separates this from other Malbecs is the complexity on the palate...not just a licorice and inky profile. Candied black cherries, ripe blackberries, baking spices, melted chocolate, and a hint of black pepper spice. Nothing flabby, dense or overly tannic about this. Smooth and in the zone. My thanks to @David T who opened my eyes to this wine (and producer)! And props to Mark who called H&G as a possible producer when he tasted this blind!
Never thought I’d see the day I’d give a Napa malbec a score this high. Though age is a factor, this is the best Napa valley Malbec I’ve had. Everything in balance. I poured blind for a few people and Aussie Shiraz, Cabernet, and Napa Petit sirah were the guesses. On the nose, it shows ripe blackberries, currant, licorice (but not an overload like many Malbecs), dark chocolate shavings, mocha and some cedar. What separates this from other Malbecs is the complexity on the palate...not just a licorice and inky profile. Candied black cherries, ripe blackberries, baking spices, melted chocolate, and a hint of black pepper spice. Nothing flabby, dense or overly tannic about this. Smooth and in the zone. My thanks to @David T who opened my eyes to this wine (and producer)! And props to Mark who called H&G as a possible producer when he tasted this blind!
1 person found it helpfulDec 22nd, 2019It's like drinking a slightly melted milk chocolate bar lightly infused with blackberries, dark cherries w/ a tary character, black raspberries, blueberries, Chinese plum sauce, a touch of dusty brown dry soil with crushed rocks, brittle dry florals, steeped black tea, anise, a slight touch of mint and or eucalyptus, fresh red roses, cinnamon and vanilla. It's finish is so lush, round, elegant, beautiful and long lasting that you forget it's Malbec. Thanks Chuck for making consistently the best Malbec's!!!
It's like drinking a slightly melted milk chocolate bar lightly infused with blackberries, dark cherries w/ a tary character, black raspberries, blueberries, Chinese plum sauce, a touch of dusty brown dry soil with crushed rocks, brittle dry florals, steeped black tea, anise, a slight touch of mint and or eucalyptus, fresh red roses, cinnamon and vanilla. It's finish is so lush, round, elegant, beautiful and long lasting that you forget it's Malbec. Thanks Chuck for making consistently the best Malbec's!!!
1 person found it helpfulNov 12th, 2016Ruby ripe fruit berry mixed with dark & milk chocolate, violets, red roses, sweet silky wet brown earth, hints of spicebox. Flat out elegance and polished finish. I only want to drink Malbec made by Chuck Hendrick's.
Ruby ripe fruit berry mixed with dark & milk chocolate, violets, red roses, sweet silky wet brown earth, hints of spicebox. Flat out elegance and polished finish. I only want to drink Malbec made by Chuck Hendrick's.
1 person found it helpfulAug 13th, 2016