David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A Charles Hendricks wine.

Medium plus tannins. Ripe, rich, floral fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black plums/ extra skin, dark cherries, plum pudding, dark spice with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, mid berry cola/licorice, dark rich soil with dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry twig, cedar, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, fresh to candied; dark, red, purple flowers, round, sharp acidity, highly structured, well tensioned, balanced finish that lasts two-minutes and lands on minerals.

Good tonight…better in 5-7 years.

Photos; James Cole, Silverado sign, bronze logo statue and private tasting room. — 8 days ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Excellent domestic riesling from Mendocino county. BD15 purchase. — 3 months ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.0

Great dry Riesling, unfiltered, almost like a dry cider — 6 months ago

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. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Mother Mary of God! Near Pomerol like. Charles Hendricks masterpiece. Menthol & a touch of mint.

Stunning vintage & wine.

This 07 is in perfect shape…at its peak. Still has 7 plus years of life.

Black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate/pudding, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, softened, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark, rich soils, moist, limestone mush, black tea, black licorice, bay leaf, salted caramel, dryish twig, menthol, mint, volcanic ash, sandalwood, dark withering to candied, red, blue florals, lavender framed in violets with perfect acidity and a amazingly, structured, well knitted/tensioned and elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes falling squarely on earthy minerality.

Second wine with an Allen Brither’s Ribcap recently bought on the secondary market for $55.

Photos of; James Cole on Silverado Trail, brass statue that is their bottle logo & their private tasting room. — 16 days ago

Ming L

9.5

My first bottle was 2 years ago, and this only gets better.
The nose is the interplay of oak spices, earth, and juicy ripe black fruit core. Rich, dense, and silky, underpinned by lively acidity. Long bitter sweet finish.
Wish I bought more. — 4 months ago

Stephanie Carnegie

9.2

It’s pretty dec — 3 years ago

Brent Clayton

9.3

Key lime, kaffir lime leaf, oily. Really nice and paired with a Thai style coconut milk curry. — 17 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Camping in Anza Borrego. 93F in mid April. But at night really pleasant. And if you go camping you need a wine which can take a beating in the desert and still tastes awesome. Stored on ice and then tasted with Rib-eye steak from the grill. Lilac, quite tannic, leather, cherry - of course it is blasphemy to open this so soon should have bought more!!!!! — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Nothing to add to my extensive notes from January 2021. To reiterate this was the last vintage for the founder, Dr Bailey Carrodus before his passing. Just an excellent aged Yarra Valley Cabernet. — 3 years ago