Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Robert Hall Winery, Evolving Their Wines Toward a Regenerative Future
      • Great Wine Is Headed Your Way, the Spring Portfolio Tasting of Golden State Wine Co Reveals Many Treasures
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Ardanza Reserva 2016, An Elegant Vintage for an Iconic Wine
    • ETTORE Wines from Mendocino, With An Organic Focus
    • Two Excellent Value Broquel Label Wines From Argentina’s Trapiche Winery
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
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    • Celebration of Harvest
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    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
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    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Ralph Hertelendy of Hertelendy Vineyards
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Ralph Hertelendy, a relative newcomer to winemaking, seems to be hitting all the high notes.  Hertelendy is tuning up his Napa Valley premium wines to express all the nuances of the region, an orchestral compliment of Chardonnay, a Bordeaux red blend, and Cabernet Sauvignon, culminating in the release of his third vintage of the flagship Cabernet wine for Hertelendy Vineyards.  He conducts fruit from some of the very best vineyards that Napa has to offer, Atlas Peak, Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Silverado Bench, and Oakville, blending them methodically until they come together in perfect harmony, building to a crescendo of flavor and lingering finish.  And in the coda of this composition is a haunting lilt of oak, which enriches the progression of the wine’s aromas and flavors.  Hertelendy strikes a chord among fans of deeply satisfying, bold and elegant wines, fine tuning the acoustics of varietals and vineyards, a prelude to a harmonious concerto of wine.  And with a swirl of liquid art in the glass, a few secrets are revealed along the way.
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Hertelendy fell in love with wine at a young age, enjoying a first sip of a French Grand Cru at age 5, “It peaked my interest, I remember having my first sip at one of my parents’ dinner parties.”  But it wasn’t just the flavor, it was the way wine brought people together, “Wine was the most social commodity in the world, being an extrovert, I feed off that energy.”  Trained in classical music, he went on to get a business degree from the University of San Francisco, but he never forgot his passion for wine.  In fact, he sees the parallels between music and wine, likening the wine barrels’ influence to an instrument, “I have certain barrels, for instance, that only touch on the high notes, like a piccolo does in an orchestra, and if it just stood alone, it wouldn’t be as interesting as it is when it’s fully integrated in the whole.”
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Hertelendy came to winemaking serendipitously, starting with a teenage desire to be accepted and popular at a new school.  As a high school freshman, he made beer in his parent’s basement, by his own admission “the worst tasting beer I’ve ever had in my life”, but it was good enough to win over his new classmates, and the seed was planted, to create wine that he enjoyed drinking.  Ten years later, in 2006, in the same basement that launched that high school brew, Hertelendy created a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, inspired to make a wine that would be the life of the party.  Disappointed with the results, he realized, “I had no idea what I was doing, I was reading a lot of books, but I thought that it was my job to create the ugly duckling into the beautiful swan.  I didn’t realize that your wine is only as good as your grapes, and I was buying relatively cheap grapes at that time.”  So Hertelendy “jump-started everything”, reading Karen MacNeil’s Wine Bible and becoming a Level 1 Sommelier.  From study to practice, he switched to production, working as a winemaker’s assistant for Casey Flat Ranch Winery, and in sales with several Napa Valley wineries.  He discovered that winemaking was literally in his DNA.  His great uncle Gábor Hertelendy had produced wines from vineyards on the north shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary, bottled with the local cooperative’s label, but eventually lost control of his lands under Communist rule, although he continued to work the land as a hired hand.
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Always in the back of his mind, he had the desire to make his own wine, until “I realized I’d have to make millions of dollars to create a winery.  I thought to myself I could start small, maybe I can make this happen if I go all in, that’s what I did.”  And all in he went, buying a four-acre vineyard in 2014 below Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, just before the most recent boom in Napa land prices.  “Rockwell Ridge” shares the same general location as Howell Mountain, but because it sits 35 feet below the demarcation line for Howell Mountain, it is considered a Napa Valley AVA.  Hertelendy remembered, “When I saw the vineyard, I saw the potential, it has the most breathtaking view of the whole valley.  But it was kind of a savage vineyard, he (the previous owner) didn’t cull the vines, he didn’t do anything to it, just let it grow savagely.  So I got in there, started supercropping, so that there’s only 2 clusters per shoot which means I would drop a lot of my potential yield to create a more concentrated, more complex final product.” And speaking of serendipity, this mountain slope vineyard contains a mix of volcanic soils, connecting Hertelendy with his Hungarian winemaking ancestors whose vineyards thrived on the volcanic slopes of Lake Balaton.
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Quality is the driving force behind Hertelendy Wines, illustrated by Hertelendy’s committment to excellence, from the wines themselves, which he considers “Liquid Art” to the smallest details that make them stand out.  Heavier bottles, longer corks, and the Hertelendy family crest on the labels frame what’s in the bottles, with different themes for each wine.  The Hertelendy name graces three different wines, a Russian River Chardonnay, a Signature Mountain Blend, and the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, all crafted in conjunction with his consultant, Phillip Corrallo-Titus, renowned for his work at Chappellet Vineyards.  Hertelendy notes, “When we do our blendings together, he always wants to do the refinement and elegance from his expertise, I always want to bring the boldness and the big fruit-driven notes, so we kind of meet in the middle, it’s a huge tug of war.  That’s why I call it Bold Elegance, because it’s kind of a bridge of both worlds.”  He barrel ages the Chardonnay for 15 months, the red wines for 23 months, and all are aged in bottle for another 6-7 months before release.
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Ralph shared his wines and enthusiasm with the LA Wine Writers, over a four course lunch at Cafe del Rey, expertly prepared by Chef David Vilchez.  Pouring his 2015 Hertelendy Russian River Valley Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard, he observed, “I’m all about quality so I wanted to create something that was a Cabernet lover’s style Chardonnay, big, opulent, full throttle, elegant.”  The grapes, grown in one of the best Chardonnay sites in the country and most optimal climate, are the last to be picked in late September, getting a long hang time to develop rich flavors.  Native yeast and barrel fermented, unfined and unfiltered, “It basically has a lot of the methodology that Marcassin and other big Chardonnay houses use, I’m not really reinventing the wheel, but I am trying to fully express the terroir of which I’m working with.”  The wine is integrated and well-balanced, with honeysuckle and tropical notes, beguiling in its golden color and baking spice accents.  And while those descriptors might apply to many other Chardonnays, this one has a secret, hidden in the Leonardo da Vinci theme label.  Hertelendy explained, “You know how da Vinci used to write his journals backwards?  So I created my own da Vinci Code, with gold foil, but there’s a secret message I put in the gold foil.  Just like Leonardo da Vinci, I like to put little secrets here and there where not everyone knows about it.  You can see when the bottles get chilled down, the labels change colors.  When the labels change color, it’s the optimal drinking temperature for Chardonnay, for me, it’s 48 degrees.”  A slight of hand achieved by thermochromic ink and “Hertelendy” spelled backwards on the capsule covering the cork spark a touch of fun with a really beautiful Chardonnay.  Delicious on its own, it paired very well with the first course, a Kale Salad with Baby Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Almonds, and Parmesan Cheese, drizzled with a Curry Dressing.
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The Hertelendy Signature Mountain Blend 2015 is a “Right Bank approach” blend, Merlot-dominant at 81%, with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec.  Made with mountain and valley fruit from several high end vineyards, and barrel-aged in new French and Hungarian oak barrels for 23 months, this is an opulent, sexy wine that seduces with its blueberry, plum, forest floor, and vanilla oak notes.  Complex on the nose and palate, it received a 95 point score from wine critic Jeb Dunnick.  Smooth and dense, it was delightful with the second course, Penne Pasta with Pancetta, Olive Oil, White Wine, Arugula, and Parmesan.  And no secrets on this bottle, just fabulous wine inside!
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On to the flagship, the Hertelendy Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, a blend of five Bordeaux varietals, 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, which is the first time that valley fruit was introduced to the mountain fruit program.  Bringing extra depth and complexity to the wine, Hertelendy explained, “Oakville gives you that earthy, forest floor, truffle type of complexity layer that most of the previous vintages do not, they were more fruit-driven, more floral, so this is more old-school style.  It has not just French oak in it, it also has Hungarian oak.  For me, Hungarian oak translates to baking spice notes, cardamom, clove.”   This third vintage, Hertelendy felt, illustrated that while a single vineyard may have a lot of clout, blends of several vineyards have much more depth.  Smooth and integrated, it’s expressive nose of dark berry fruit, cassis, truffle, coffee and vanilla bean accompanies an elegant palate with fine-grained tannins.  Highly rated, it scored 96 points with Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown.  Paired with a Seared Duck Breast, with Orange Peel Purée and Roasted Fennel, the wine was enchanting.
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Chef David Vilchez carved an amazing rack of venison
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Hertelendy's first vertical of Cabernet Sauvignon
For the last course, a showstopping Rack of Venison Roast with Polenta, Honey-Glazed Carrots, and Balsamic Vinaigrette, the 2014 Hertelendy Cabernet Sauvignon was paired, offering Hertelendy’s typical style, a refined Cabernet Sauvignon blend of “bold, mountainside structure with ethereal finesse, purity, and sophistication”, a study in Napa Valley terroir.  But, surprise, Hertelendy also poured the 2013 vintage, his very first, that was more Old World, with the same five Bordeaux varietals in differing percentages, no Hungarian oak used, but good acidity and supple tannins, a fascinating vertical that demonstrated Hertelendy’s evolution as an up and coming winemaker to watch.  In fact, Robert Parker awarded that inaugural 2013 wine 95 points, a very good start.  Impressive, pure and textured wines that wow with their depth and complexity, Hertelendy’s decadently hedonistic wines can be drunk now, with proper decanting, or aged for future pleasure.
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And back to that pursuit of excellence, Hertelendy said, “I have an unique relationship with wine, I translate it to music, to me it’s more like instruments, I see when it’s hitting the low notes, when it’s hitting the high notes, especially when I’m weaning barrels out of my program, I want to know if I think it’s like a tuba in an orchestra, if that will add structure, or if it will add anything to the final product, or if I should just ditch it and try to get something a little more mid-range to high-range.”  So what instruments correlate to his wines?  Chardonnay is a saxophone, the Signature Mountain Blend a violin, the Cabernet Sauvignon a grand piano.
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Hertelendy is a small-scale producer, making just a little over 1,000 cases annually.  His wines are sold through his wine club, direct to consumer, and in restaurants, such as The French Laundry.  You can taste his wines at the Vintner’s Collective in downtown Napa. 

So, Egészségédre, that’s Hungarian for cheers!