Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This bottle is a different source than my previous post. This is loaded w/ mulberries, gooseberries and liquid violets. Experience tells me, this bottle didn’t have quite the storage of my last.

This has a dark core of currents, blackberries, black, raspberries, dark cherry liqueur, both plums, mulberries, gooseberries & raspberries, mid to dark berry cola, dark chocolate cake with fudge, anise to black licorice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon stick, and vanillin, dark spice, oak barrel shavings, cigar box, used leather, lead pencil shavings, moist clays, dry soils, limestone, dry crushed, rocks, dark, withering flowers, violets, and lavender, nice acidity, a well balanced, nicely toned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and dry earth.

It still has another 5-7 years of road ahead. I just don’t think 2012’s have the longevity of 2013 and 2014 etc..

A Charles Hendricks made wine. — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I have posted on a number of occasions that Charles Hendricks is the most underrated Napa Winemaker. It happens in every world region. He made Regusci’s wines through 2013. The relationship ended midway through the 2014 vintage. Patriarch & Angelo’s are their best cuvées when he made them. 2013 an amazing vintage.

I scour the secondary markets for his James Cole and Regusci vintages. Recently, there were many and I bought them all. They are harder and harder to find. Becoming very rare.

This 2013 in fine shape. The cork perfect as is the state of the wine.

Charles’s magic is he makes wines that are elegant young and will age effortlessly & get better.

This 2013 is still in its ascending phrase and will drink well for another 5-10 yrs.

The entry is lush-juicy-ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached-baked strawberries w/ hues of raspberries-blueberries-pomegranate. Dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, mid berry cola, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg-cinnamon-vanillin, dark, mid tensioned spices, dry twig, limestone powder, dry stone, grilled meats, moist volcanic clays, mostly sandalwood to soft cedar notes, dry tobacco, old leather, hues of graphite, dark rich earth topped with dry earth & leaves, notes of mint-eucalyptus, dry to withering dark, red, blue flowers framed in fading red roses, excellent acidity with a finish that shows firmness, balance, beautiful structure-tension with elegance, lasts minutes and falls on spice & earthiness on the long set.

This will work its way towards 96-97 in the next few yrs. — 9 months ago

Somm 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.

— 3 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Bright red fruit. Good acidity. Enjoyed. — 4 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.3

92% Syrah, 6% Syrah, 2% Viognier
Beautiful dark fruit, spices and a trace of menthol. Beautiful wine! — 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

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. — 3 months ago

Somm 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. — 3 years ago

Somm 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. — 3 years 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

Jody Scharf

9.3

Oak- nice Chard — 6 years ago

Doug

9.1

Bursting with dark fruits balanced and rich. 2016 — 6 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.4

Great balance of acid and dark fruits. Rolls around the palate nicely. One sip stays with you for awhile. But then you want more. — 7 years ago

AEL

9.2

Granular, heavy but flavors well defined. Paul brought for Xmas. — 9 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. — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I’m a bit early opening this but have three and was curious. It will be a while before opening another.

After a double decant, it started to blossom after four hours decanted. Smooth and elegant with just the right kind of spice and soft earths on the long, elegant finish.

Better things in another 5 yrs and beyond.

Enjoyed the 2011 James Cole Malbec afterwards more. Charles Hendricks still crafts my favorite new world Malbecs. — a year ago

Somm 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. — 3 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Light bodied. Strawberries. — 4 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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 7 years ago