William Bentley

9.5

I know wine gets better than this... but I can’t remember when I’ve had a better glass. Very enjoyable. A late afternoon family lunch with Ossobuco and risotto and this great wine. What a perfect afternoon. — a month ago

james kresge

9.4

huge and peppery. amazing — 4 months ago

David chiaruttini

8.9

Holiday gift from Sandeep. Solid. — 5 months ago

Ming L

9.0

This single vineyard Merlot has freshness I don’t often associated with the ripe and jammy Napa Merlot.
Blackberry, currant, licorice, peppermint, light earth and violet, and hint of vanilla. Medium to full body sports bright but round acidity and silky mellow tannins. Quite layered and structured. — 7 months ago

Christopher Mayes-Wright

9.0

Pencil shavings! Yes! Velvety. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I’ve never had a Charles Hendricks wine I didn’t like. Especially, his Malbecs. This is not nearly as good as his 07 Hope & Grace Malbec but, none the less still very good.

The fruits on the nose reveal the ripeness & freshness of the 12 Napa vintage. Loads of blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries but, it’s the boysenberries, mulberries & blue fruits & raspberries on the glass edges that really make for a great nose. Black licorice, dark fruit cola with shades of liqueur, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, limestone & sandstone, big tobacco, dark spice, leather, oak barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, stones, rich black earth, sweet tarriness with brilliant; dark, red, blue & purple florals framed in lavender & violets.

The body is just full. The 12 vintage was always more fruit than tannins, not that there were no tannins or structure in this 12 & other 12’s. Ripe, lush & slightly ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries but, really love the boysenberries, mulberries & blue fruits in my reds. Black licorice, dark fruit cola with shades of liqueur, black pepper, limestone & sandstone, forest floor, dry stems, big tobacco, dark spice with just a touch of heat, clove, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, graphite, steeped fruit tea, oak barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, stones, volcanics, rich black earth, sweet tarriness with dark, lush; red, blue & purple florals framed in lavender & violets. The acidity is nice & round. The finish is well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and persists nicely with just the right amount of dark spice on the long set.

This would have a little scored higher but, I coravined it a few weeks back and restored it laying down. Seems to have lost a bit from opening.

Photos of; James Cole Winery on the Silverado Trail, former James Cole Winemaker - Charles Hendricks (13 his full last vintage), tasting bar & tasting patio. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Had this three years ago, aged well. Conn Creek is a boutique winery on the Silverado Trail in the Rutherford district headed by winemaker Mike McGrath. A blend of 75% Cab Sauv, 16% Cab Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe fruit and earthy oak notes. On the palate ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors with espresso and tobacco tones with fine well integrated tannins. Long finish ending with cedar, cacao and earthy tobacco. Aged well still has room for more. Nice! — a month ago

Paco Suro

9.2

Surprise of the night. Approachable on open. Full body / throttle. What you would expect from #coombsvillenapa! — 4 months ago

Ryan Anderson

8.9

2012 vintage drank in 2020. The aging gives it some complexity compared to usual Chardonnays. Enjoyed this. — 5 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.1

Vibrant blackcurrant, red currant, cranberry, pulverized tobacco, mint, eucalyptus, rosemary, clove, lifted aromatics of rose and purple flowers, iodine, blood, VA, sour cherry, high acid, moderate sweet tannins, moderate alcohol at 13% — 7 months ago