Jay Kline

9.2

As far as I know, only Moccagatta and Quazzolo make single bottle expressions of the Cole MGA in Barbaresco. Cole is a small, southeast facing vineyard located directly west of the famous Montestefano MGA.

The 2019 pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red fruits: Morello cherry, red rope licorice, red flowers, some tar, orange peel, gravelly earth, some vanilla and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and texture is grippy. These modern touch on this a little jarring for me early on but after about 30min of air, the character of the site started to emerge and it became a lot more interesting to me. This would be a huge hit for those palates more attracted to more modern leaning producers in the Langhe. Drink now with patience and through 2039. — a day ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

Smokey and hint of tobacco - full of tannins but ends mid palate. Enjoyable — 3 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 — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.4

‘12 in ‘25. Syrah AF, Cherries and blood.

Bourbon cherry, fennel, baking spices. Smooth. Savory red meat/venison.

Tasted through a vertical of all their Syrahs in their wine makers office. ‘12 (and ‘16) were beautiful. Currently vintage needs more time. — 14 days 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! — 2 years ago

Stephanie Carnegie

9.2

It’s pretty dec — 4 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. — 5 years ago

Kevin Dale

9.5

Decanted about 2 hours to help open it up. — 9 months ago

Tom Heckert

9.3

Brought out of the cellar. From a trip to Napa in 2011? Cherry and tobacco on the front. Hints of mint as it lingers. Still a full tannic finish after 16 years. Another bottle in the cellar to try in a few years more. Paired with locally sourced braised beef short ribs. — 10 months 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. — 3 years ago