Like its predecessors, the 2006 Hendry Red initially reveals attractive, spicy oak and just a whiff of low-toned purple fruit. The wine is strikingly dense and purple, coating the surface of the glass, due to high percentages of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Silky and full on the entry. The dense palate weight is detectable, even when first opened. With air, the mid-palate continues to expand, to include powdered cocoa and deep berry, accented with pleasant baking spices. Aromatically elusive and complex. A full mid-palate and gradual transition to a fine-grained tannin structure, make this a wine that happily pairs with moderately rich dishes, yet is soft enough to enjoy on its own.
Vineyard Notes The Hendry Vineyard is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. The vines grow on thin, stony clay soil between 200 and 300 feet above sea level. Morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay moderate the climate.