James Cole

William Cole Vineyards

Cuvée Claire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

#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.
— 11 days ago

Ted, Doug and 8 others liked this

Martin Woods

Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Lyle Fass
9.4

Tons of floral, wild dark berries and spice on the nose. Mid season cherry. Palate is so good. Rich, elegant, deep, gritty and nimble. Some nice amplitude in the mid palate and great tension and red fruits on the finish. Needs mega air so I can only assume score goes higher tomorrow. — 4 months ago

Zach, Ray and 8 others liked this

Bollinger

James Bond 007 Brut Champagne

Classic Boll sweetie — 5 months ago

Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard Rocket Block Grenache Syrah

17% alc is pushing it; even for me lol — 5 months ago

Tobin James

Fat Boy Paso Robles Zinfandel 2010

Rich plum and dark fruit, low acidity in the mid-palate but a smooth finish. — 14 days ago

Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard Red Rhône Blend 2010

2010 James Berry rough by our buddy Rob went up after the 2013 Alban Patrina. Wow, a Syrah blend with plenary of Grenache, it was more elegant and very smooth with velvet mouthfeel and red fruits. Long finish. Lovely evening. — 3 months ago

Shay, Jan and 1 other liked this

Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard White Blend 2023

Saxum — James Berry Vineyard White 2023
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District AVA, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerful, Rhône-inspired white blend composed of 46% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from the iconic James Berry Vineyard, delivering intensity, texture, and serious structural presence.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense stone fruit, baked pear, preserved citrus peel, and subtle tropical tones lead the aromatics. Layers of honeysuckle and warm orchard fruit intertwine with gentle herbal nuance and faint almond creaminess. On the palate, ripe yellow peach, quince, lemon oil, and savory mineral notes unfold with depth and clarity.

Mouthfeel
Rich, broad, and commanding with impressive mid-palate weight. The wine carries a firm line of tension through the back palate, preventing any sense of heaviness despite the elevated alcohol. Texture is polished, energetic, and confidently structured, warm yet controlled.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs and lemon. Grilled halibut or monkfish with beurre blanc. Moroccan spiced tagine. Aged Comté or Alpine cheeses. Cream-based seafood pasta.

Verdict
Serious, layered, and unapologetically bold, this is a thinking person’s white wine. Intensity meets balance, delivering both immediate impact and clear aging potential. A standout expression of Paso Robles whites pushing into Grand Cru mindset territory.

Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard is one of Paso Robles’ most celebrated sites, better known for producing legendary Rhône-style reds. Seeing this level of complexity and structural precision translated into a white blend highlights just how versatile and elite this terroir truly is.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a casual patio white, it’s a layered, expressive, high-octane wine (15.2% ABV) built for contemplation, food, and cellar evolution. Definitely a white wine for red wine lovers.
— 4 months ago

Freddy, Ted and 1 other liked this

Tobin James

French Camp Paso Robles Zinfandel 2021

Great nose & a clean finish. Not out of TJ wines, not in a negative way, but just different. — 3 months ago

Bedrock Wine Co.

Erster Zweieiiger Zwilling Cole Ranch Riesling

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Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard Syrah 2022

Saxum James Berry Vineyard 2022
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District, California USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerful, high-octane Rhône-inspired blend driven by Grenache 48%, supported by Mourvèdre / Mataro 34%, Syrah 8%, Counoise 8%, and Carignan 2%, clocking in at a formidable 15.7% ABV. This is an unapologetically bold, savory, and densely structured wine built on concentration, extraction, and muscular tannins rather than finesse or freshness. The warmth and sheer intensity dominate the profile, making this a statement wine that clearly favors power-seekers over balance-driven palates.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark red and black fruit compote, roasted herbs, cured meat, dried Mediterranean spices, and earthy savory tones lead the nose. On the palate, dense blackberry, plum reduction, and baked cherry collide with pepper, leather, and umami notes, finishing with pronounced alcohol warmth and firm structural grip.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, dense, and firmly tannic with noticeable heat on the finish. The texture is packed and chewy rather than lifted or agile, delivering weight and intensity over elegance or precision.

Food Pairings
Slow-braised short ribs. Charcoal-grilled lamb. Smoked brisket. Rich game meats. Hard aged cheeses. Best enjoyed with substantial, protein-driven dishes to balance the wine’s power.

Verdict
An impressive example of Paso Robles muscle and concentration, but stylistically far from my personal preference. The elevated alcohol and bold extraction make this more overwhelming than pleasurable for my palate, despite the quality of fruit and craftsmanship. A wine that will thrill lovers of massive, savory, high-impact reds.

Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard in the Willow Creek District sits on steep, rocky limestone soils, producing naturally low yields and highly concentrated fruit, a major reason Saxum wines are known for their intensity, structure, and cult following.

🍷 Personal Pick
While undeniably well made, this style is simply too warm and forceful for my palate. I personally gravitate toward wines with greater tension, freshness, and drinkability rather than sheer power.
— 4 months ago

Freddy, Ted and 2 others liked this