David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This survived vacuum sealed in the refrigerator from last Saturday. Seems it benefited from its cork separation that long. 🤷‍♂️

I bought this two weeks ago and last weekend is the first time I’ve had this producer. So, why not make it an 07? I bought it for $69 two weeks ago from my new secret source. 🤫

Last weekend it was good but still fairly youthful. Tonight, round, softened, ripe fruit elegance. I like it this weekend better.

The nose is ripe, candied with just a faint hint of baked fruits; blackberries w/ some bramble, wild, black raspberries, black plum pudding, dark, slightly baked cherries/strawberries & raspberries glass edges. Melted, dark chocolate, black licorice, softly layered baking spices, dark & mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, melted caramel, some eucalyptus notes, brownie, super soft earth of, dark, moist, rich, sweet soil, some light flinty hues, faint tobacco & leather notes, sandalwood with dark flowers and soft lavender & violets for days.

The entry is round, full, lush and juicy. Great mouthfeel. Ripe, ruby, candied with just a faint hint of baked fruits; blackberries w/ some bramble, wild, black raspberries, black plum pudding, dark, slightly baked cherries/strawberries & raspberries glass edges. Melted, dark chocolate, black licorice, softly layered baking spices, dark spice with some palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, melted caramel, some eucalyptus notes, black tea, brownie, super soft, dark earth, limestone marl, moist, rich, sweet soil, some light flinty hues, faint tobacco & leather notes, sandalwood, moist volcanic clays with soft dark flowers, liquid lavender & violets. Round, perfect acidity. This finish is the definition of elegance, balance, structure, length, tension & and two-minute finish that lasts minutes. Perfect storage.

I expected this to be half gone and it is better this weekend vs last.

Congratulations Team USA on an excellent 2024 Olympics. Paris on being an amazing Olympic host aside from that whole toxic River Seine thing. Ladies soccer today & throughout. Shutouts 💪! Men’s B-ball delivering. What a storied career and a giant stepping up in the biggest moments is Steph Curry & LeBron James. Great watch. — 4 months ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

Nose has yellow apple peel, pear slice, straw and beach sand.

Palate has tangerine zest, ripe pear, under-ripe yellow peach, cold clementine orange with medium acidity and slightly dry finish.
A nice bottle; not sure if this wants more time, or a couple years past prime...

On the sold out (18K+ patrons) Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest Conductor Ken-David Masur is leading a 90th birthday celebration of John Williams. BSO soloists tonight are J. Williams Hudgins (vibraphone) & Jessica Zhou (harp), joined by Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Eric Revis (bass) and James Taylor (vocals/guitar). A truly wonderful night lay ahead, and my money is certainly on hearing at least one or two Star Wars movements this evening... — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A Charles Hendricks wine.

Medium plus tannins. Ripe, rich, floral fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black plums/ extra skin, dark cherries, plum pudding, dark spice with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, mid berry cola/licorice, dark rich soil with dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry twig, cedar, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, fresh to candied; dark, red, purple flowers, round, sharp acidity, highly structured, well tensioned, balanced finish that lasts two-minutes and lands on minerals.

Good tonight…better in 5-7 years.

Photos; James Cole, Silverado sign, bronze logo statue and private tasting room. — 7 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. — a year ago

David Bourke

9.5

Easy like a Sunday morning. Consistency of pasta water, quenched like fresh pear juice with a little honeysuckle tenderness. Could drink all day or all night and then all day again, no judgement here. Because after two glasses, that’s kinda what I wanna do. On the Mediterranean. With a James Bond looking boat. And some Dickey Greenleaf fashion.

— 2 years ago

Doug Sayed

9.7

2017 vintage. Deep blue and darker fruits with a touch of spice and good balance. Excellent lengthy finish. Exceptional. Great now, possibly better in a year or two. — 3 years ago

Lauren Golanty

9.0

Tasty! Subtle! Good with food! Dry AF! From Independent Spirits! — a year ago

Paul J

9.3

Paul Hobbs two nights in a row! Gold color. Very deep, thick wine with subtle acidity. Aged pineapple with stone fruits and subtle apricot, peach, and melon elements. Fairly unique and complex in my mind. I prefer other single vineyard Paul Hobbs Chards style wise but wasn’t bad by any means. 93.5 rounding up. — a year ago

with Brooke

Paul K

9.3

92-93 2016 style - plush and approachable but not simple. Cherry and tobacco. Has great tannins that should help the other bottles age beautifully. Excited for the future of these!
@James K i might be hurting on our ride tomorrow! 70 miles in last two days and this is too good to keep for later! — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

I actually got into this for a night or too. I like it on the rocks—one or two big ones. The caraway vibe is strong but there’s hints of licorice too. Appealing and refreshing. — 3 years ago