I have said many times that when Charles Hendricks made James Cole from 2013 backwards, amazing.
Charles is the most under known & therefore unappreciated Napa Winemaker on the planet from my perspective.
So, when a bunch of his JC vintages appeared on the secondary market, I bought them all. They are very rare these days.
2013 an excellent vintage, small berries with excellent concentration. When I picked up the cork from the table at the restaurant, it was turned away from me. When I looked at my hand, it was heavily painted with tannins. In a way I have seldom experienced. It was so, I could have easily painted my war face. — 22 days ago
The last James Cole vintage that Charles Hendricks made and 13 was a grand vintage that will age. I do not buy 2014 vintages of James Cole forward.
Recently a bunch of James Cole 2013 and previous vintage’s appeared on the secondary market and I bought them for far less the winery priced them. Lucky & fortuitous me.
Charles Hendricks perhaps the most missed winemaker in Napa Valley. — a month ago
Nose: slight vegetal more floral as it opens.
Palate: very well made. Linear. Solid fruit. A bit interesting. Hint licorice. The best version of a classic bistro pinot.
Martines
$23 — 17 days ago
Vibrant rich acidity — 2 days ago
My last YY 2015 Pinot Noir. A good balance between red fruits and savouriness and probably drinking at its peak. I have always loved YY Pinot Noir Noir back when it was undoubtedly the best Pinot Noir in Australia in the mid 1980’s made by the legendary Dr Bailey Carrodus. A lot more competition for that mantle these days but Yarra Yering is still kicking major goals as recently as 2 weeks ago winning a Platinum award and 97 points for their 2022 Pinot Noir at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. The following night aromatic red florals. — a year ago
Gentle nose of blackberry, creme de cassis, incense, warm spices, and the seductive hint of forest floor/wild fungus. Harmonious palate: full and unctuous, yet weightless. Acidity is as good as it gets. Supple silky tannins.
This bottle exceeds my high expectation. Love the simple yet elegant label too. — 4 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.
It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.
Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.
The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.
This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 21 days ago