Privado Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend

Thought I’d try the wines Charles Hendricks trained before he left in 2014. While I say the wines are nice, so far, they lack his richness and ability to drink well young. I assume that will age 10-15 years.

The fruit is leaner. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum, strawberries, leather, tobacco, barrel shavings/dust, dark spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, dark cola, wet clay, dry top soil to brush, some minty notes, fresh & withering dark, red and purple flowers, a little high on acidity but a nice structured, balanced finish to holds wire to wire and lasts over a minute.

Amongst all the big name Napa producers and cult Cabernets, this small production under the radar producer impresses me and blind will stand in there with many of Napa’s best.

James Cole until 2014 was made by Charles Hendricks. Truly, one of my favorite Napa Winemakers. He has the gift of making wines that drink really well young, yet will improve over 10-20 years. His apprentice has taken over now. I cannot endorse the vintages after 14. I have had a few of his wines and they lack the beauty & elegance Charles could bring to them in their youth. You can still find Charles’s beauty & elegance in the Hope & Grace wines and his own label Hendricks.

The nose reveals; a mix of dark currants & cassis, ripe, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, well extracted blackberries, strawberries on the glass edges, dark chocolate, mocha powder, limestone minerals, dark mixed berry cola, whiff of smoldering ambers, fruit liqueur notes, anise, leather, cedar, lead pencil, underbrush, old tobacco, notes of soy & Worcester sauce, hint of mint, vanilla, dark spice and withering dark floral bouquet.

The body is medium full and rich. The structure, tension, length and balance are hitting its stride. The tannins are round, dark and a little chewy. Dark currants & cassis, ripe, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, well extracted blackberries, floral strawberries, edges, dark chocolate, mocha bar, limestone minerals, dark mixed berry cola, smoldering ambers, fruit liqueur notes, anise, leather, cedar, lead pencil, sweet tarriness, underbrush, old tobacco, notes of soy & Worcester sauce, hint of mint, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, bright red florals, lavender, violets and withering dark floral bouquet. The acidity is like a rain shower. The long finish tangos on the palate with bright ripe fruits & earthiness and is persistent for minutes.

Still has 10 years of life ahead of it.

Photos of, the front of James Cole, entrance sign, modest tasting bar and side lawn sitting area.

I like their updated logo/label. Nice florals fruits on the nose. They are also ripe, sweet and a touch candied. Baking spices, sweet tarry notes, anise, black licorice & black cherry cola and dark fresh corals with violets. This is a beautiful wine on the nose and palate. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, sweet liqueur dark cherries mouthfeel is rich, round, fresh, elegant and flat out beautiful. The fruits are ripe, sweet; blackberries, creamy black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Rich, dark turned earth, dry rocks, volcanic minerals, suede leather, hints of tobacco leaf, dark fresh florals with violet, lilacs, mellow round acidity and a long, beautiful, elegantly rich finish.

Silky with some chocolate notes. Nice

Bought when visiting the vineyard. Very good.

Lucious velvety smooth taste. Berry forward on the nose. Soft, clean finish. LOVE

Least favorite of the James cole line up.
Didn’t know it was 60% Merlot & 40% Cab Franc until I tasted and wondered why it was so weak.
Cant recommend this one

Not so fruity but very Smooth and light tannins

One of the best

David had this 7 years ago