Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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. — 8 months 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. — 5 years ago

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 — 5 years ago

Donald Williams

9.0

Holding up really well. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie

India

9.3

Makes me pucker. Lemon yum with a big mouth! At Kasey & Bjorn’s. — 6 years ago

Kazuhiro Kiyokawa

9.3

ソムリエのお土産。
このベーリーAはとても良い！
らしさがとても出ている。いちごの華やかさがピカイチ。常に家に置いておきたい一品^ ^ — 7 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

@Bryce Wiatrak here is another one. Is there someone else at Delectable that I should bother with these updates/fixes? Desire Lines Wine Co is the producer. Cole Ranch is the vineyard. The assistant winemaker at Bedrock and his wife started this project recently. Any help possible? — 8 years ago

with Tyson

Raun Kupiec

9.2

Delicious! A proper Nebbiolo with power and grace. Definitely needed some air time to open up, at least a half hour but better after an hour. — 9 months ago

with Barbara

Jason Keefer

9.0

Zin doesn’t get much better than this! Central coast babay! — 3 years ago

with Natasha

Stephanie Carnegie

9.2

It’s pretty dec — 5 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.3

Oak- nice Chard — 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

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

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. — 2 years 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. — 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. — 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

Alex

9.2

Amazing. Dark and inky on the nose. Palate of stone fruit, but not as baked as Napa cabs can sometimes get, which is good in this case. Manages to balance being fresh and bright with dark fruit. 100% would buy again. — 7 years ago

Paul Weil

9.1

Unoaked Chardonnays are usually quite good, allowing the fruits to shine. This one is exceptional, refreshing and balanced with no cream or butter. What a great Summer Wine! It sports peach and honeysuckle flavors, with just a touch of lime.. Here’s to more tree-free wines! — 8 years ago

John McCarroll

Sales Rowan Imports

9.0

Floral and chenin-y and cider-y and a bizarre af riesling but super nice — 8 years ago