Granular, heavy but flavors well defined. Paul brought for Xmas. — 5 months ago
Vibrant rich acidity — 8 months ago
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. — 8 months ago
First a note about the 2012 Napa vintage. Good, right? Yes. While the fruit was abundant & nicely fruity, for me, lacked tannins, skin/juice ratio out of balance which created a lack of tannic depth and will not cellar like 13 or 14 etc..
When I visited w/ The Stag’s Leap Winery Winemaker, he told me, they normally make 75,000 cases of Artemis. In 12, they made 100,000 cases. They grow their own fruit but also contract fruit. While there are terms in their contracts w/ growers to refuse fruit, they could not refuse any. The fruit was that good. They even had to take Artemis out of tank early so they could finish their higher-end Cabernets.
This 12 JC Muds Kitchen was made by Charles Hendricks. His second to last vintage at JC. One of the more unknown & underrated Napa Winemakers. James & Coleen misstepped in the separation but understand Coleen’s reasons. Charles Hendricks Apprentice, went his own way. Can’t say I blame him, just not a fan of his post work. Ok, but not the follow up I wished.
Nose; a dark core of currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and haunting blueberries, softly, layered baking spices, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets.
The palate fruits are; ripe, juicy, fresh, dark core of; currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, haunting blueberries & pomegranate high tones. Softly, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, mid spice intensity w/ heat, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, dry leather/tobacco, graphite, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, dry crushed limestone rocks, dry oak barrel shavings, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets, near perfect acidity with a well knitted/toned/balanced, elegant finish w/ great length that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & dry minerals. — 2 months ago
Just doesn’t disappoint in any Hendricks vintage.
Last day of California Indian Summer.
@Chaminade — 7 months ago
Nose: slight vegetal more floral as it opens.
Palate: very well made. Linear. Solid fruit. A bit interesting. Hint licorice. The best version of a classic bistro pinot.
Martines
$23 — 8 months ago
Drinking quite nicely at 8+ years — 4 months ago
Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️
As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.
Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.
It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness. — 5 months ago
"Odedi"
#AgedWineTuesday
Inky in color with a short reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, light vanilla, chocolates, light cedar, espresso, herbs, earth and light vinaigrette.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, herbs, toast, light vanilla, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, coffee, peppercorn, earth and mediterranean spices.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Fruit forward, rich and elegant. Very complex and engaging.
This 12 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is staring to drink at its peak now, and will continue to do so in the next 7 to 10 years.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the slopes of Spring Mountain were aged in French oak barrels. A small production of less than 8,200 bottles.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$120. — 17 hours ago