Ming L

9.5

My first bottle was 2 years ago, and this only gets better.
The nose is the interplay of oak spices, earth, and juicy ripe black fruit core. Rich, dense, and silky, underpinned by lively acidity. Long bitter sweet finish.
Wish I bought more. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This shows an astonishing amount of wood. It is like sucking on a wood plank. Also, show a touch of heat-alcohol burn on the back throat.

The fruits are floral, bright and perhaps a tad overripe. Blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, dark chocolate to pudding, a fair amount of wet clay, the wood is almost punishing, leather, dry tobacco, dark, rich soil with leaves, lighter spice than the Privado, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dry sage, tree bark, good acidity, red florals with violets for days. This needs to lay down another 5 year. The finish is still a astringent and needs to evolve until the earth and wood clam down. — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Very Bandol in style. Simple, fresh, easy to drink. Tangerine, pink grapefruit, strawberry, hints of fresh rhubarb flesh, citrus blend, dry crushed rocks, river stone, some chalkiness, pink roses, white flowers, good acidity and simple fresh but uneventful finish. — 9 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Light bodied. Strawberries. — a year ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

@Delectable this is the Tres Noir.

2019 was their first vintage for the bottling. The softest in the tasting. It however had some very dry medium to medium plus tannins. The fruits is quite nice. Floral; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, stewy plums, dark chocolate, mocha powder, dry clay & top soil, crushed rocks, dry tobacco, leathery, big, dark spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dry herbs, tree bark, sandalwood, light salted caramel notes, bright candied, dark, red, purple florals, nice round acidity with a well balanced, structured finish that is sound wire to wire. Not the wines that Charles made but the Tres Noir is pretty good.

— 9 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

Jake Hajer

9.1

Bright red fruit. Good acidity. Enjoyed. — a year 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

9.3

This is more tame than the Mud’s Kitchen. Not as astringent. More 93.5.

The fruit is prettier, nice ripe, not over the top. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, hints of boysenberries, black licorice, tarry notes, Indian spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, salted caramel, mocha powder, dry clay, sandalwood, moist tobacco, moist clay, forest floor, eucalyptus notes, volcanic ash, dark, red, flowers framed in lavender & violets. Nice acidity with a highly structured, well tensioned, nearly balanced finish that last minutes. — 9 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. — 9 months ago