Jeroen Koenen

9.4

This is really very nice. Balanced, respectable, calm and soft. Smooth mouthfeel, silky tannines, plummy fruit. Peak drinking, I’d say.
Mr. Rolland was consulting… RIP.
🙏🏻 — 3 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2001 Dominus is one of the most backward wines of the vintage. Readers who own it will have to be patient, as the 2001 needs a few years to still be at its best! Time in the glass brings out huge dark fruit along with hints of iron, gravel, spice and leather that add to its brooding, imposing personality. The 2001 is approachable with a few hours of air, but is very much a powerhouse. Boris Champy was the winemaker, while Jean-Claude Berrouet was the consulting winemaker. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2023) — 3 years ago

Bonnie Chu

9.2

With Tom yum vermicelli — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂 — 6 years ago

with Mo

Jay Kline

9.5

This was a really fun follow up to the duo of 2010 Saint-Damien’s. Same consulting wine maker (P. Cambie). Consistent with my previous experiences with this wine, it was beguiling from the start. Lush, amazing example of Grenache with brambles for days and while that sounds like this is massively fruit forward (and it is) it’s just so pure that you can’t help but fall head over heals for it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this was my last bottle. Tremendous. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, ripe, ruby, fruits of; mulberry, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, black cherries, blueberries & creamy raspberries. Vanilla, hints of sweet tarriness, black licorice, whiff of spice, soft understated limestone minerals & crushed rock powder, fruity black tea, hint of fresh herbaceousness, rich, black turned earth, fresh dark floral bouquet and fields of lavender & violets.

The body is rich, ripe & full. The tannins are a little sticky but well softened, round and a touch chewy. The structure, tension, length, balance, tension and balance are very close to perfect and harmonious. Fruits are; mulberry, huckleberry, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, black cherries & creamy raspberries. Vanilla, hints of sweet tarriness, black licorice, whiff of spice, soft understated limestone minerals & crushed rock powder, fruity black tea, hint of fresh herbaceousness, rich, black turned earth, fresh dark floral bouquet and fields of lavender & violets. The acidity is round and rains like a waterfall perfectly over the palate. The very long, ruby, rich, well balance lasts minutes and is absolutely heavenly. Gorgeous, elegant, stunning wine.

Photos of; the vertical tasting we attended of all Hendricks Cabernets; 04, 05, 09 & 12 at the time w/ one of our favorite paintings in the background, Charles Hendricks working in the cellar, very old rootstock from the Stag’s Leap Vineyard where the fruit to make this wine normally comes from and a wide shot of the Stag’s Leap Vineyard.

Producer notes and history...Hendricks Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently sourced from a few of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. In those near perfect vintages, Charles only makes a small production wine of around 250-300 cases. Charles only produces it when he has exception fruit. He’s made Hendricks Cabernet in; 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012 & 2014. Notice he didn’t make Hendricks Cabernet in a great vintage year like 2013. He wasn’t happy enough with his fruit in 2013 to put his name on it. That says a lot and maybe all you need to know about his standard for quality. I do know what wine his 13 fruit made as I’ve had and it’s an unbelievable wine for far less money.

Charles also makes a fantastic Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands that is really quite amazing. Especially, if you give it 5 or 6 years in bottle. All his wines are sold exclusively through the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville as he is also the Hope & Grace Winemaker.

Charles graduated in 1982 from UC Davis in viticulture. He was also able to tailor his own curriculum and was one of the earliest to integrate winemaking and viticulture course work. Having knowledge of both viticulture and enology forms the basis for his well-rounded winemaking.

Over the years Charles has worked in both Napa and Sonoma Counties, gaining hands on experience in all aspects of winemaking. He has a strong reputation for excellence. In his career, he’s been a consulting winemaker for many wineries; Viader, Barnett Vineyards, Paoletti Vineyards, Regusci Winery, James Cole, T-Vine and Tamayo family Vineyard.

I asked Charles, “how does he make wines that are amazingly good in their youth but will age effortlessly for 15-20 years?” His answer was simply this, “its not that hard, you just have to know the perfect time to harvest fruit.” I would agree with that to a degree. But, you also have to know how to gently guide fruit onto it’s path into the barrel and not get in the wine’s way or overwork the process. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This was the WOFTN. Even better than the 03 Calon-Segur & 21 Lithology, but the Lithology had been open a week in the cooler. Still good just not its true self.

The winemakers for the 2016 Kelly Fleming Cabernet Sauvignon were Rebecca George and Françoise Peschon. Rebecca George was the day-to-day winemaker, and Françoise Peschon, consulting Winemaker.

Photo features their new consulting Winemaker, Jennifer Williams as if 7/23. — 8 months ago

Deborah M

9.0

Weekend wine with parents continued. I didn’t have to think long when trying to decide what wine to bring for my short weekend visit. I picked Bacio Divino because it is always a crowd pleaser. The wine is described as being one that “Cabernet devotees as well as those who appreciate artful blends can enjoy.” I agree 💯. My mom describes this wine as being “delicious” — winner.

Bacio Divino is lead by the husband and wife team, Claus and Diane Janzen. This wine is their flagship wine that uses Cabernet sourced from Beckerstoff’s Heritage Oakville and Rutherford vineyards. The wine also includes a small amount of Sangiovese and Merlot.

2016 details: 94% Cabernet, 5% Sangiovese, 1% Merlot. 14.6% ABV. Kirk Venge is a consulting winemaker. 215 cases. — 4 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on October 16, 2021 at The River House with Jay Yalowitz]

Purchased wine during October 2021 visit to the winery. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Merlot; 10% Malbec; 5% Cabernet Franc; 5% Petit Verdot. Blackberry, black currant, violets, dark cocoa, vanilla, coffee, toast and a hint of mint on the the finish. Rich and nicely balanced. Philippe Melka is the consulting winemaker. — 5 years ago

Chris Shultz

9.5

Holy hell, this is straight diesel with a good candied orange finish. Carbonization of citrus juice. Finish Like a perfect daiquiri at 7.5%. Philippe petit wine. Be back for more, but this is great juice. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2012 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is comprised of of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot made by François-Xavier Borie, oenologist Christel Spinner and consulting oenologist Eric Boissenot. The vines at Grand-Puy-Lacoste are 38 years old and are set on gravel soils. The wine needs more than a two hour decant to unveil ripe creme de cassis, anise and graphite flavors with lighter earthy tones. Bright and focused, this is just an infant now. Drink 2022-2040- 93 — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

2018 Fall dinner for the Confrerie St Etienne.

It was a treat for me to explain this wine and the hands that helped create it. A true tribute to Ulises Valdez who left us too soon. His relationship with Mark Aubert extended here as Mark was the consulting winemaker (alongside UV’s daughter, who has sense left to attend UC Davis). Bright and ripe black cherry. Lots of baking spice with acidity to carry for a while. Candied licorice and cranberry. Wonderful representation of this famed vineyard. — 8 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.4

Great owner. Great consulting winemaker. Great juice. — 9 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Petit Sirah, 7% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Delicious wine and consulting wine maker for Screaming Eagle! This is my favorite flavor profile for a red! Tar, blackberry, dark cherry, black olives, smoke, white pepper, bitter dark chocolate, black strap molasses, graphite, eucalyptus, and mild vanilla. Medium tannins, medium acidity, with a nice long finish! — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Here's another beautiful wine from the Michel Rolland consulting collection.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Full bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, alcohol, peppercorn, tobacco leaf, herbs and licorice.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel. Nicely aged with a beautiful nose, that I kept smelling on. Looks and feels much younger.

The alcohol is still noticeable, which surprised me a little.

I had this vintage before, and it seems like this 14 year old has reached its peak a year or two ago.

Feels like a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley with a splash of Bordeaux.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 36 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$55. — 4 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

The wines of Coenobium are made by a sisterhood of nuns from the Latium region of Italy close to Rome. They make two wines. Both varying degrees of Orange. That’s it.
The Bianco is barely Orange, with a Corona appropriate level of skin contact (barely any).
I’d lump these into the OG category of Natural Wines - they see consulting from the god of Italian Orange, Mr. Bea.
Pours hay with notes of apples and white flowers and salty peachy flavors. — 6 years ago

Carter White

9.7

Omg yes! Like drinking the nectar of the gods. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Proof that, indeed, there is truth in wine.

While Heidi Barrett makes her only Chardonnay and Spring Mountain Cabernet for Fantesca, my understanding is she will not make Pinot Noir. That responsibility falls on Fantesca’s Associate Winemaker Tony Arcudi, who also makes wine under his eponymous label in addition to consulting for Kapcsandy.

Fantesca’s 2014 King Richard’s Reserve is sourced from a selection of prime vineyards in Russian River Valley including Bacigalupi, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli. Reminiscent of my experiences with Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. A rich, yet beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that juxtaposes lush raspberry and black cherry against a backdrop of herbs, flowers, and forest floor. The balance between opulence and restraint is where the beauty lies. — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2015 Tour Saint Christophe was impressive from barrel and is equally impressive from bottle. Red cherry/raspberry jam, exotic spice and floral notes fill out in a sumptuous, racy Saint-Émilion loaded with personality. Even with all of its overtness, the 2015 retains a good bit of freshness as well. This is a fabulous showing from a property that continues to improve under the stewardship of owner Peter Kwok and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2018) — 8 years ago

JKT

8.9

GL tasting Pape Clement 10/18/17. Means tall oak tree. 60 Merlot 40 cab. Three vintages. '15 Nose of black berries and palette that's straightforward with some earthiness and medium finish. 8.8. 2010 nose that's black fruit and body with hints of wood and good structure. 8.9. 2005 nose that's complex with that autumnal secondary notes of age and good structure on palate and long finish. Rewards of aging. 9.0. Roland consulting previously but more moving away from me oak. — 9 years ago