Wine of the Moment, 2005 Hope and Grace Cabernet
Beth Ribblett
Charles Hendricks has been part of the California wine scene for quite a while. Since the early eighties he has been making wine for clients such as Viader, Barnett, Regusci, Paoletti and Bacio Divino. His wine making style has created award winning wines coveted by wine collectors and celebrated by leaders in the wine industries. But, as do most winemakers, he always had the dream of producing his own wine.
In 2001, he was given an unexpected opportunity to purchase Pinot Noir grapes from the renowned, Robert Talbott, Sleepy Hollow Vineyards. Having to move quickly to secure these amazing grapes, Charles needed a place to crush and store his new found fortune, and his friend Jim Regusci graciously lent a hand in getting started. Realizing that this is really happening, Charles went in search of a name…he thought of two attributes that he has in life, his daughters, Hope & Grace Hendricks. And his dream became a reality....Today, his production has grown to a total of approximately 2,000 cases, and includes his award winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noirs, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignons.
The fruit for the 2005 Hope & Grace Cabernet comes from one of California's oldest continuously-owned family vineyards in the Napa Valley. The vineyards of the historic Lewelling estate were established in 1864 near the western foothills in St. Helena by pioneer winegrower and horticulturist John Lewelling. His great, great grandchildren still farm a 28-acre vineyard on a portion of the original estate, where they make their own wine and sell their grapes to a handful of quality producers like Charles Hendricks.
This wine is 100% Cabernet and is aged for full 2 years in French oak before release. They only make 950 cases of this and we're excited to have it as part of our lineup in our tasting this Tuesday with Charles Hendricks at Swirl.
Charles' Notes: The 2005 vintage was a bountiful harvest that produced vibrant, fruit rich wines. This is Hope & Graces’ second vintage of 100 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Lewelling Family Vineyard in the St. Helena, Napa Valley Appellation. Intense aromas of cocoa powder, dark berries and black licorice come forward with the first swirl, followed by undertones of spicy plum, marjoram and lead pencil. Fully textured, the plum and cherry flavors broaden with the sumptuous weight of the wine across the palate. The wine leaves the mouth with the vibrant fruit of the vintage.