Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This bottle is a different source than my previous post. This is loaded w/ mulberries, gooseberries and liquid violets. Experience tells me, this bottle didn’t have quite the storage of my last.

This has a dark core of currents, blackberries, black, raspberries, dark cherry liqueur, both plums, mulberries, gooseberries & raspberries, mid to dark berry cola, dark chocolate cake with fudge, anise to black licorice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon stick, and vanillin, dark spice, oak barrel shavings, cigar box, used leather, lead pencil shavings, moist clays, dry soils, limestone, dry crushed, rocks, dark, withering flowers, violets, and lavender, nice acidity, a well balanced, nicely toned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and dry earth.

It still has another 5-7 years of road ahead. I just don’t think 2012’s have the longevity of 2013 and 2014 etc..

A Charles Hendricks made wine. — 3 days ago

Todd Anderson

9.1

Drinking quite nicely at 8+ years — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.

Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.

It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness. — 9 months ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

Smokey and hint of tobacco - full of tannins but ends mid palate. Enjoyable — 4 years ago

with Michael, LM and 1 other

Matthew Cohen

9.3

This is the barbaresco cole.

Nose is cherry flower with some spice. Expansive. Beautiful perfume. As it opens the nose gets a bit darker. Deep Lilacs?

Palate has that quazzolo just grab you by your socks better than fruit fruit. Some spice. A hint of cherry licorice. Super fresh. As it opens a bit Plummer but still fresh.

Bought from fass selections — 6 years ago

Nicole Carpenter

9.5

Cole loved this one, Josh said its ok — 6 years ago

Doug

9.1

Bursting with dark fruits balanced and rich. 2016 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

2013, the last vintage Charles Hendricks made at James Cole. I bought 8 bottles on Winebid that were all $30-$50. This one $50, stealing. Before buying these, the winery sent me a library email of his & his apprenticeship’s wines at $175-$250. So…I caught extreme value.

The nose is dark and brooding. Dark core of currants, black, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, poached/baked strawberries, dark, cherries, some purple fruits, anise to black licorice, rich, dark earth with dry leaves, steep black tea, dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel, layered, baking, spices, dark spice, chocolate, pudding, withering to candied, dark, florals, violets and lavender.

The palate shows; velvety, rounded, dusty M+ tannins, a dark core of currants, black, plum, blackberries, brambly black raspberries, poached/baked strawberries, dark cherry kirsch & purple fruit blend. Anise to black licorice, rich, dark earth with dry leaves, steep black tea, dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel, layered, baking, spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanillin, dark spices, espresso roast, chocolate, pudding, dry, crushed, rocks, dry limestone, dry twigs, dry herbaceous notes, black pepper notes, withering to candied, dark, florals, violets and lavender, excellent acidity with a well structured, balanced, elegant finish with good length that is polished, last 90 seconds and long sets on dry earth and clay.

This is peaking with 5-7 yrs of good drinking road ahead. — 3 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

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 — a year ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Pale straw color. Aromas of tropical fruits, kiwi and starfruit. Flavors of green apple, mango and chalk on the finish. Superb! — 3 years ago

Stephanie Carnegie

9.2

It’s pretty dec — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

It’s good to follow Winemakers. I follow Charles Hendricks. However, Charles last James Cole vintage was 2013.

100% Petit Verdot in anyone’s hands is tricky. This 09 made by Charles is elegant young...just as it is now. It’s just rounder & softer after 9 1/2 years in bottle. It still has teeth but, complex & floral with dark, grippy tarry, round tannins. The darkest of roasted & used expresso grounds, dry earth with dark & brilliant florals. Beautiful acidity and elegant persistent finish.

This offering has another 10-15 of good drinking ahead. Properly stored of course.

Photos of; James Cole Winery, outside tasting lounge, signature bronze logo statute and James’ classic car in their fermentation cellar. — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Big bold beautiful- smiles for days - love this wine and a shout out to my bud who brought one of my favorites @Jeff Lanter — 6 years ago

with Jeff

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, light vanilla, chocolates, light cedar, espresso, herbs, earth and light vinaigrette.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, herbs, toast, light vanilla, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, coffee, peppercorn, earth and mediterranean spices.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Fruit forward, rich and elegant. Very complex and engaging.

This 12 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is staring to drink at its peak now, and will continue to do so in the next 7 to 10 years.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the slopes of Spring Mountain were aged in French oak barrels. A small production of less than 8,200 bottles.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$120. — 4 months ago

AEL

9.2

Granular, heavy but flavors well defined. Paul brought for Xmas. — 9 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Petrol/diesel aromas, crisp and clean, nice bone dry Riesling. — 10 months ago

with Jim

Anthony De Blasi

9.5

Powerhouse with a nice aromatic nose. Will still improve! — a year ago

Ming L

9.3

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. — 5 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.3

Oak- nice Chard — 6 years ago

Donald Williams

9.0

Holding up really well. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie