Andrew Belzer

9.4

Blackberry liquor, coco powder, flint, leather. Medium grip and nice round mouthfeel — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez & his “relentless” pursuit of quality. A blend of 76% Syrah & 24% Petite Sirah, shows a lush & rich wine. Aged for 30 months, 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit, smoke and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum & blueberry with notes of vanilla, licorice and smoke. Fine silky tannins, long finish, great mouthfeel ending with fruit, herbs and spice. One of the best Syrah’s tasted. Will age well! — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! A restaurant favorite! — a year ago

K L

9.0

String and earthy with dark fruit. The tonella is better of course but this is still good. Drinking young. — 2 years ago

with Matt

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — 4 months ago

Rob N

9.3

I enjoyed this wine but perhaps not quite as much as RP’s 97 points. It was a little tart to open but mellowed with air. I was expecting a higher alcohol, more straightforwardedly fruity wine given the Argentine origins. However, the winemaker is explicitly targeting a Bordeaux taste in the style of Chateau Cheval Blanc. After I read that, the taste clicked a bit more. A smooth, tasty expression of the Bordeaux style. 62% malbec, 38% cabernet. $80. Would drink again. — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Very dark in color, and looks very young.

Full-bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and coffee.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Smooth and elegant. Rich and extracted, with a great mouth feel.

Good by itself or with food. A great wine to sip on and talk about.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle as well.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec. Winemaker is Philippe Melka.

15.4% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$65 (current vintage). — 2 years ago

K L

9.1

Really enjoyable. Needed time to be balanced and this was good. — 5 months ago

with Matt

Timothy

9.3

Laura Catena la winemaker, seda y fruta, muy bueno — 6 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a non vintage blend and where the Hendricks fruit goes when Charles doesn’t deem it perfect for his private label Hendricks. This is what I miss from the new winemaker at James Cole, it is very elegant.

The palate is round, lush, ruby, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, blue fruit hues. Dark and milk chocolate-more dark, caramel, black and some red licorice/cola, herbaceous notes, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, sandalwood, barrel powder, soft Indian spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, rich soil, a fresh dark and mid red floral bouquet, excellent round acidity with a well structured, knitted, very well balanced and polish for days. Lasts two minutes plus. — 10 months ago