Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 23 days ago

JKT

9.1

This one, on the other hand, did smack me in the face with a surprising streak of lean almost metallic minerals cutting through. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another beauty that is fresh, intense with its steely, mineral, saline, lemon & orchid fruits. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

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. — 24 days ago

Raun Kupiec

9.2

Delicious! A proper Nebbiolo with power and grace. Definitely needed some air time to open up, at least a half hour but better after an hour. — 2 months ago

with Barbara

Joshua Figg

9.1

Lots of cherry and current on the nose. Smooth, slightly earthy in the mouth. Very smooth in the finish too. Nice Texas find! — 2 months ago

Demir Worthington

9.1

Damn this was so mineraly, flinty, and savory to me! Like licking a rock. Very impressive but also a little brash at this point, would probably be incredible with some more time — 3 months ago

Jan A

9.5

So I started my wine collecting thing (obsession) around 8-9 years ago. This was among the first wines I bought and they have been sitting in my cellar since. I opened a bottle of this a couple of years ago and today the second one. The first bottle was obviously good quality then, but the wine was still too young: nervous and steely (chablis!). I find it beautiful to see that the first bottles are now coming around into their drinking window.

So this has fleshed out considerably and just entering it's drinking window. A rich creamy texture surrounded by lime, yellow flowers and oyster shell. Enough acidity to support the whole thing. Balanced. — 3 days ago

Rebecca Graham

8.9

Delicious. Great with tuna pepper steak. — a month ago

Jason Phillips

9.0

Muted nose. Honey, apricot, and butter. Buttery, fully coating the palate. Heavy finish. — 2 months ago