David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

HBTM! 🥳 🎉🎂 🎈

Charles Hendricks one of the most underrated Winemakers in the Napa/Sonoma/Santa Lucia areas. — a month 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. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Charles Hendricks last vintage at Regusci. 2013 a phenomenal vintage and this is in top form. Showing amazing fruit with his Regusci spice.

Charles Hendricks may be the most under appreciated Winemaker in Napa Valley.

What a well balanced, structured, mix of fruit, soft earthiness, spice and bright florals. — a year ago

Shawn Thompson

9.1

Made the midsummer spritz as part of our summer solstice celebration last night. This rendition of Hendricks gin is lighter, crisp and deeply floral. The cocktail is made up of 50ml Hendricks midsummer gin, 50ml sparkling wine, 150 ml elderflower tonic garnished with cucumber and orange slice. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Charles Hendricks last vintage at Regusci and what a vintage 2013 was in Napa. If you’re are going to go out on a high note, 13 would be it. The most underrated Winemaker in Napa Valley.

Dark, ruby, lush, currents, raspberries, plum skin, strawberries, dark chocolate, lots of salted caramel notes, mid spice, tarriness, black licorice, soft dark earth with dry top soil, dry tobacco, used leather, vanillin, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, withering dark floral, lavender framed in violets, excellent acidity and great structure, tension, balance and perfectly polished for days. — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Thought I’d try the wines Charles Hendricks trained before he left in 2014. While I say the wines are nice, so far, they lack his richness and ability to drink well young. I assume that will age 10-15 years.

The fruit is leaner. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum, strawberries, leather, tobacco, barrel shavings/dust, dark spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, dark cola, wet clay, dry top soil to brush, some minty notes, fresh & withering dark, red and purple flowers, a little high on acidity but a nice structured, balanced finish to holds wire to wire and lasts over a minute. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is a very rounded, elegant and nicely polished Malbec. As you know, many Malbecs can be rugged and rough on the palate. Not the case here. This is the second Winemaker that I’ve had other than Charles Hendricks that knows how to make an elegant, soft and well rounded, brilliantly floral Malbec. Wire to wire this wine is beautiful, balanced with polish for days. River like acidity. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Hendricks Pinot from the Doctors Vineyard in Santa Lucia. 11 barrels made. 22 months in French oak. I don’t know what everyone is used to but a Pinot 22 months in French oak is far more rare than common. This is my first look from the four bottles I’ve stored. Roughly eight years is the timing for first look.

This may be the best CA Pinot I have consistently yr over yr. The fruit is ripe, dry-ish, slightly tart; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, notes of blueberries, raspberries, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful mid spices, nutmeg, cinnamon-cinnamon stick, vanillin, mid to dark berry cola, dry brush, dry clay, loamy, limestone volcanics, dark, dry soil, dark chocolate baking bar, crushed dry rocks, notes of not quite eucalyptus, tree bark w/ sap, fresh & slightly withering, dark, red, blue florals framed in subtle violets, near perfect acidity with a nicely structured, well balanced, velvety/silky, consistent wire to wire finish that lasts a minute and half. Simply amazing palate.

Good first look but better things ahead for my next bottle(s). Another 15 plus years of half drinking ahead.

Happy Labor Day weekend. — 8 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Again, nice but not the full, rich, lush wines that Charles Hendricks made, nor does it drink well early.

The fruit is ripe, bright; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, dark chocolate, loads of caramel, more retrained wood than their Cabernet, dry tobacco, dry brush, cinnamon, nutmeg, unstated spice, vanilla, dark berry cola, dark Belgium chocolate, anise to black candied licorice, moist clay, dry herbs, dry river stone, dry top soils, minty as it sets, still very primary, candied; dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets, the acidity nice but the finish needs integration & evolution badly. Shows some promise in another 5 years. — 9 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