James Cole

Napa Valley Malbec

9.38 ratings
9.23 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Malbec
Tomato-Based, Beef, Potato, Venison, White Rice, Pork, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Mushrooms, Pasta, Hard Cheese, Lamb, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I am not the biggest fan of most Malbec's. The Mendoza's just aren't all that interesting. There generally quite simple and lack beauty & elegance! However, Chuck Hendrick's Malbec's impress. He makes the Hope & Grace and did until recently make the James Cole. You will be hard press to find another as elegant, smooth and fruit so ripe. One could sip this all night. Ripe black cherries, raspberries, cherries, touch of blue fruit, liquid violets, melted milk chocolate, the dark minerality is round & sweet, there's a faint presence of used wood shavings, touch of lite pepper on the tip of your tongue and a round mix of rich ripe fruit blend on the finish. Acidity is spot on! This will only continue to improve over the next 4-5 years +.

I am not the biggest fan of most Malbec's. The Mendoza's just aren't all that interesting. There generally quite simple and lack beauty & elegance! However, Chuck Hendrick's Malbec's impress. He makes the Hope & Grace and did until recently make the James Cole. You will be hard press to find another as elegant, smooth and fruit so ripe. One could sip this all night. Ripe black cherries, raspberries, cherries, touch of blue fruit, liquid violets, melted milk chocolate, the dark minerality is round & sweet, there's a faint presence of used wood shavings, touch of lite pepper on the tip of your tongue and a round mix of rich ripe fruit blend on the finish. Acidity is spot on! This will only continue to improve over the next 4-5 years +.

Sep 5th, 2016
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Plum, sweet red cherries, chalky.

Plum, sweet red cherries, chalky.

Oct 10th, 2015
David Bos

Ahh what a fun wine!

Ahh what a fun wine!

Jun 11th, 2014
Paul T HB

Haven’t had enough Malbecs to make fair comparison, hoping the 13 has a better showing,

Haven’t had enough Malbecs to make fair comparison, hoping the 13 has a better showing,

Jul 7th, 2019
Michael Montoya

Michael had this 10 years ago

Michael had this 10 years ago

Jul 1st, 2014
Matthew Gershwin

Matthew had this 10 years ago

Matthew had this 10 years ago

May 28th, 2014
Paul Craven

Paul had this 11 years ago

Paul had this 11 years ago

Jan 6th, 2014