Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

2013, the last vintage Charles Hendricks made at James Cole. I bought 8 bottles on Winebid that were all $30-$50. This one $50, stealing. Before buying these, the winery sent me a library email of his & his apprenticeship’s wines at $175-$250. So…I caught extreme value.

The nose is dark and brooding. Dark core of currants, black, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, poached/baked strawberries, dark, cherries, some purple fruits, anise to black licorice, rich, dark earth with dry leaves, steep black tea, dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel, layered, baking, spices, dark spice, chocolate, pudding, withering to candied, dark, florals, violets and lavender.

The palate shows; velvety, rounded, dusty M+ tannins, a dark core of currants, black, plum, blackberries, brambly black raspberries, poached/baked strawberries, dark cherry kirsch & purple fruit blend. Anise to black licorice, rich, dark earth with dry leaves, steep black tea, dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel, layered, baking, spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanillin, dark spices, espresso roast, chocolate, pudding, dry, crushed, rocks, dry limestone, dry twigs, dry herbaceous notes, black pepper notes, withering to candied, dark, florals, violets and lavender, excellent acidity with a well structured, balanced, elegant finish with good length that is polished, last 90 seconds and long sets on dry earth and clay.

This is peaking with 5-7 yrs of good drinking road ahead. — 22 days ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Petrol/diesel aromas, crisp and clean, nice bone dry Riesling. — 7 months ago

with Jim

Galen Hasler

9.2

Vibrant rich acidity — 10 months ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

Smokey and hint of tobacco - full of tannins but ends mid palate. Enjoyable — 4 years ago

with Michael, LM and 1 other

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

Nicole Carpenter

9.5

Cole loved this one, Josh said its ok — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#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. — 2 months ago

Todd Anderson

9.1

Drinking quite nicely at 8+ years — 5 months ago

AEL

9.2

Granular, heavy but flavors well defined. Paul brought for Xmas. — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Just doesn’t disappoint in any Hendricks vintage.

Last day of California Indian Summer.

@Chaminade — 8 months ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.5

Powerhouse with a nice aromatic nose. Will still improve! — a year ago

Stephanie Carnegie

9.2

It’s pretty dec — 5 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.3

Oak- nice Chard — 6 years ago

Donald Williams

9.0

Holding up really well. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First a note about the 2012 Napa vintage. Good, right? Yes. While the fruit was abundant & nicely fruity, for me, lacked tannins, skin/juice ratio out of balance which created a lack of tannic depth and will not cellar like 13 or 14 etc..

When I visited w/ The Stag’s Leap Winery Winemaker, he told me, they normally make 75,000 cases of Artemis. In 12, they made 100,000 cases. They grow their own fruit but also contract fruit. While there are terms in their contracts w/ growers to refuse fruit, they could not refuse any. The fruit was that good. They even had to take Artemis out of tank early so they could finish their higher-end Cabernets.

This 12 JC Muds Kitchen was made by Charles Hendricks. His second to last vintage at JC. One of the more unknown & underrated Napa Winemakers. James & Coleen misstepped in the separation but understand Coleen’s reasons. Charles Hendricks Apprentice, went his own way. Can’t say I blame him, just not a fan of his post work. Ok, but not the follow up I wished.

Nose; a dark core of currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and haunting blueberries, softly, layered baking spices, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets.

The palate fruits are; ripe, juicy, fresh, dark core of; currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, haunting blueberries & pomegranate high tones. Softly, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, mid spice intensity w/ heat, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, dry leather/tobacco, graphite, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, dry crushed limestone rocks, dry oak barrel shavings, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets, near perfect acidity with a well knitted/toned/balanced, elegant finish w/ great length that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & dry minerals. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.

Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.

It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness. — 7 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: slight vegetal more floral as it opens.

Palate: very well made. Linear. Solid fruit. A bit interesting. Hint licorice. The best version of a classic bistro pinot.

Martines

$23 — 10 months 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. — 5 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