James Rahn

James Cole

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Somm David T
9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years.
— 20 days ago

Paul, Roy and 16 others liked this

Dawson & James

Pinot Noir 2017

Rich and mouth filling. Spices, red and black fruits. Medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Coats the palate. Fermentation with 40% whole bunches. A classic Tasmanian Pinot. Very good but a point or two behind their stellar 2015. 98 points and Top 100 Wines of 2020 from James Halliday. — 5 months ago

Tom, David and 17 others liked this

Tobin James

French Camp Paso Robles Zinfandel 2019

Light fruit aroma, intense deep nearly opaque purple, jammy and thick with notes of raspberry and strawberry. Delicious. — 2 years ago

James Cole

Umbral Estate Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Somm David T
9.5

I have said many times that when Charles Hendricks made James Cole from 2013 backwards, amazing.

Charles is the most under known & therefore unappreciated Napa Winemaker on the planet from my perspective.

So, when a bunch of his JC vintages appeared on the secondary market, I bought them all. They are very rare these days.

2013 an excellent vintage, small berries with excellent concentration. When I picked up the cork from the table at the restaurant, it was turned away from me. When I looked at my hand, it was heavily painted with tannins. In a way I have seldom experienced. It was so, I could have easily painted my war face.
— 21 days ago

Vanessa, Rick and 15 others liked this

Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard White Blend 2019

Shay A
9.4

One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.

46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.

More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air.
— 5 months ago

Tom, Daniel and 18 others liked this

Martin Woods

Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

This seems more integrated than the Hyland Vineyard, same vintage. Anyone have insight? — 9 months ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Serge, Sharon and 15 others liked this

James Bryant Hill

Central Coast Chardonnay

Very smooth! Great flavor. — a month ago

Tobin James

Estate Private Stash Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Really a great wine at this point in its point in life. A sister bottle tasted 2 years ago was rather rough on the palate. The tannins have softened while the elegant nose is still there. Really enjoying this bottle! Cheers!
— 2 months ago

Torrin

James Berry Vineyard Syrah Grenache 2018

2918 Vintage. Smoky side of Grenache/syrah blends. Lovely. — 9 months ago

Shay, Jan and 2 others liked this

Jean-Marc Burgaud

James Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2014

Earthy and smoky. Aged well — 10 months ago

Ira and Tom liked this