2007 Hope & Grace Malbec

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 91 points

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  12/20/2019 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Though age is a factor, this is the best Napa valley Malbec I’ve had. Everything in balance. I poured blind for a few buddies 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, and a hint of black pepper spice. Nothing flabby, dense or overly tannic about this. Smooth and in the zone.

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  11/1/2019 - Somm David T Likes this wine: 97 Points

  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.

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  12/18/2015 - moodsm Likes this wine: 89 Points

  I was afraid that this bottle was going to be too late. Expecting to decant, I couldn't find any sediment, so decided to pour straight from the bottle. A wonderful, full, rich Malbec. Excellent balance of fruit and dry on the mouth. The nose was fantastic. I think there might be another hiding in the cellar...

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  11/12/2012 - tdcd@comcast.net wrote: 84 Points

  Not quite sure what I was thinking when I bought it.

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  3/25/2011 - bawallis wrote:

  Truly enjoyed this boutique vinyard Malbec. Very glad I have another one in the cellar.

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