Tobin Spratte

9.2

Super Rex - Basically an American Super Tuscan bursting with black cherry notes, strawberries, blackberries, and hints of spice. Delicious although not as intricate or elegant as its Italian counterparts. — 3 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

A preposterously good value in 2021. I always like their wines, from the Troncone up to the Brunello. But this rosso may really hit the middle sweet spot at least at this point 4 years since harvest. Lovely expression of Sangiovese. Perfect pairing with an excellent medium rare prime strip steak from double R ranch. — a year ago

Turd Ferguson

9.3

Really tasty per usual for Ridge. Good density. Brighter than expected! Plenty of acid. Still wound tight needs lots of air or a few more years in the cellar. Pair with T-bone steak 🥩 — 4 years ago

Chris

9.3

Syrah did not pack quite as much punch as their Cab that we enjoyed at T-fest, but was still a nice sipper. — 4 years ago

with Beth

Yi-Fen Li

9.2

Big fruit zin paired with lamb loin chops lil T-bone🐑 — 6 years ago

with Matthew

Steve S.

8.9

2017 - Pomegranate and strawberries. A light bright zin mix that paired well with salmon. — 7 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

Maybe it’s just me being on Chateauneuf overload, but this N. Rhône style Syrah is hitting the spot. Excellent QPR as expected from Anthill. Did a quick double decant and this wine paired very well to Indian food. — 8 years ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

Half of the experience is what you pair it with. Double R Ranch 45 day dry aged bone in New York Striploin. Happy Easter. — 3 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.2

We have been drinking this wine for 10 years now. As the fruit drops out it becomes more stringent with strong oak tannins, losing some of its depth and ease of drinking. — 6 months ago

with Tammy

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium ruby color. Mix of Cab and Malbec. Aromas of cherry cola, blueberry and baking spices. Smooth, very delicious! Had at the Yountville tasting room and brought home a few bottles. — 4 years ago

Lauri Metz

9.0

Paul really liked this one! — 4 years ago

Gene Harlow

9.2

Outstanding Chardonnay from Sonoma. Well done La Luke! — 6 years ago

Roy Goble

9.5

The big bottle - double magnum of the 2014. Beautiful right now. — 7 years ago

with Rachel and D'Aun

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

Pooneet K

9.2

Nice second wine from pomerol! My understanding is that this is 54/46 Merlot / cab franc. You certainly get the cab franc characteristics on the nose and palate. Just starting to veer into secondary but still has great primary fruit with a nice vein of acid cutting through everything. Opened 4 hours and decanted 1 hour before which was the right call. Very nice pairing with double R ranch prime strip steaks on a blizzard day in nyc. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

It’s been a long time since I’ve had an OG, Bill Sorenson made Burgess Cabernet. I’ve always appreciated their classic California sensibility. This double-magnum of the 1998 vintage was generously provided by a buddy to accompany our lunch of Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers. Initially a bit musty and for a second, I thought it might be slightly corked. However, the bouquet freshened up after about 30min of air the palate was ripe and delicious, no signs of TCA taint at all. Dark berries, black plum, dark cherry, tobacco, leather and loads of damp earth. The structure is still there however the tannins have completely integrated. This was a lovely showing for a wine in the twilight of its life. — 4 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Hard to pin this down, very Thackrey in that regard. No new oak, rustic and earthy on the nose, with some minerality, subsided black and red fruit, a touch of mushrooms, herbs and also funk, which all together makes you think of stem inclusion and low SO2, all coming out in a pleasant way. All in balance except perhaps a touch too much alcohol at 13.8. Very interesting experience, a complex and intellectual wine because I keep thinking about it and changing my mind as I sip, though not an elegant one. Tasting blind I’d be totally puzzled but would probably not call it California Pinot — 4 years ago

Uli Klumpp

9.3

In formidable shape, wrapping up its third decade. The nose is striking. Smooth on the palate, tannins resolved, tertiary characteristics. Still enough fruit and acidity to keep it fresh. Cork was impeccable. Double decanted, modest amount of sediment. Winemaker’s comments: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, Bates’ Ranch. Dusty, earthy, aromatic cedar, berry bouquet. Elegant, rich, bright fruit flavor balanced with soft tannins. Unfined and unfiltered. 774 cases produced. Bottled November, 1993 — 5 years ago

nachobiz

9.0

Excellent affordable blend. Extremely drinkable. Low alcohol and blended very well. Minimal nose with a quick smooth fruit beginning. Surprised by this juice. Get you a bottle. Excellent value. — 6 years ago

with Natassia

Charles Powell

9.3

Foley, what can I say 😍 — 8 years ago