Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Mother Mary of God! Near Pomerol like. Charles Hendricks masterpiece. Menthol & a touch of mint.

Stunning vintage & wine.

This 07 is in perfect shape…at its peak. Still has 7 plus years of life.

Black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate/pudding, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, softened, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark, rich soils, moist, limestone mush, black tea, black licorice, bay leaf, salted caramel, dryish twig, menthol, mint, volcanic ash, sandalwood, dark withering to candied, red, blue florals, lavender framed in violets with perfect acidity and a amazingly, structured, well knitted/tensioned and elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes falling squarely on earthy minerality.

Second wine with an Allen Brother’s Ribcap recently bought on the secondary market for $55.

Photos of; James Cole on Silverado Trail, brass statue that is their bottle logo & their private tasting room.

This shows an astonishing amount of wood. It is like sucking on a wood plank. Also, show a touch of heat-alcohol burn on the back throat.

The fruits are floral, bright and perhaps a tad overripe. Blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, dark chocolate to pudding, a fair amount of wet clay, the wood is almost punishing, leather, dry tobacco, dark, rich soil with leaves, lighter spice than the Privado, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dry sage, tree bark, good acidity, red florals with violets for days. This needs to lay down another 5 year. The finish is still a astringent and needs to evolve until the earth and wood clam down.

Nice cab. Very smooth.

Dark fruit along with pallets long finish

I opened this bottle last night, vacuum sealed it and put it back in my cabinet last night. Despite that, it’s showing some slight signs of wear.

The nose reveals; dark berry liqueur notes, dark cassis, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, brown sugar, black licorice, dark, rich, sweet soil, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, clay, burnt ambers, light graphite, rubber toy, savoriness, leather, hints of mint, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, violets, lavender and dark withering florals.

The body is full, very rich with dark, tarry tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance just falling into place. Dark berry liqueur notes, dark cassis, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, bright cherries, boysenberries, brown sugar, black licorice, root beer characteristics, dark, rich, sweet soil, steeped fruit tea, herbaceous notes, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dry brush, clay, burnt ambers, charcoal, light graphite, rubber toy, savoriness, leather, signs of mint, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, violets, lavender and dark withering florals. The acidity wonderful. There’s a slight alcohol sting. The finish is rich, ripe, lush, elegant, well balanced, persistent and if not for the alcohol sting would receive a slightly better score.

Photos of, James Cole Winery & tasting room, iconic bronze statue that is branded on their label, harvesting Estate fruit and property grounds.

One of and still one of true love wines

Still young but when it opens it is a killer - three hours so far and ever sip it gets better

So lady is out with her girlfriends drinking wine and watching bad moms Christmas movie

So I broke into the cellar and drinking a good one

At the mid point of a bumps bruises thrills and spills week

Proud dad this week and Saturday I will demonstrate how proud with a wine toast

All I need is the 14th to fall my way - can't say anything else or I will jinx it

All smiles in anticipation and this wine

Like the updated logo/label. On the nose; beautiful red, fresh, florals, sweet dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, baking spices & perfume florals. The mouthfeel is ripe, rich and juicy. Drier powdery tannin structure, anise, black licorice, ripe; blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, nice amount of baking spices, grippy volcanic minerals, soft leather, loamy soils, tree bark, mouthwatering acidity and long, rich, ripe fruit driven finish with just a touch of dry powdery tannins on the long set.

Aged to perfection. Drinking great. Coco notes with lots of fruit. Could age a few more years.

Snow day wine! Decanted- perfect. It has a few more years but drinking great right now!