Cole Cellars

William Cole Vineyards

Cuvée Claire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

#AgedWineTuesday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, light vanilla, chocolates, light cedar, espresso, herbs, earth and light vinaigrette.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, herbs, toast, light vanilla, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, coffee, peppercorn, earth and mediterranean spices.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Fruit forward, rich and elegant. Very complex and engaging.

This 12 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is staring to drink at its peak now, and will continue to do so in the next 7 to 10 years.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the slopes of Spring Mountain were aged in French oak barrels. A small production of less than 8,200 bottles.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$120.
— a month ago

Ted, Doug and 8 others liked this

James Cole

Suede Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

AEL
9.2

Granular, heavy but flavors well defined. Paul brought for Xmas. — 6 months ago

Cobb

Cole Ranch Vineyard Riesling 2021

Vibrant rich acidity — 9 months ago

Ira liked this

James Cole

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Somm David T
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.
— 9 months ago

Paul, Roy and 17 others liked this

James Cole

Tyson Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2012

Ming L
9.3

Gentle nose of blackberry, creme de cassis, incense, warm spices, and the seductive hint of forest floor/wild fungus. Harmonious palate: full and unctuous, yet weightless. Acidity is as good as it gets. Supple silky tannins.
This bottle exceeds my high expectation. Love the simple yet elegant label too.
— 4 years ago

Severn, Bob and 1 other liked this

James Cole

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

Oak- nice Chard — 6 years ago

Paul, Shay and 12 others liked this

Macrae Family Winery

Cole Ranch Riesling 2009

Holding up really well. — 6 years ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

James Cole

Mud's Kitchen Clone #7 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Somm David T
9.4

First a note about the 2012 Napa vintage. Good, right? Yes. While the fruit was abundant & nicely fruity, for me, lacked tannins, skin/juice ratio out of balance which created a lack of tannic depth and will not cellar like 13 or 14 etc..

When I visited w/ The Stag’s Leap Winery Winemaker, he told me, they normally make 75,000 cases of Artemis. In 12, they made 100,000 cases. They grow their own fruit but also contract fruit. While there are terms in their contracts w/ growers to refuse fruit, they could not refuse any. The fruit was that good. They even had to take Artemis out of tank early so they could finish their higher-end Cabernets.

This 12 JC Muds Kitchen was made by Charles Hendricks. His second to last vintage at JC. One of the more unknown & underrated Napa Winemakers. James & Coleen misstepped in the separation but understand Coleen’s reasons. Charles Hendricks Apprentice, went his own way. Can’t say I blame him, just not a fan of his post work. Ok, but not the follow up I wished.

Nose; a dark core of currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and haunting blueberries, softly, layered baking spices, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets.

The palate fruits are; ripe, juicy, fresh, dark core of; currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, haunting blueberries & pomegranate high tones. Softly, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, mid spice intensity w/ heat, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, dry leather/tobacco, graphite, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, dry crushed limestone rocks, dry oak barrel shavings, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets, near perfect acidity with a well knitted/toned/balanced, elegant finish w/ great length that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & dry minerals.
— 3 months ago

Rob, Tom and 8 others liked this

James Cole

Aliento Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Somm David T
9.3

Just doesn’t disappoint in any Hendricks vintage.

Last day of California Indian Summer.

@Chaminade
— 7 months ago

Paul, Ceccherini and 8 others liked this

Rootdown

Cole Ranch Pinot Noir 2022

Nose: slight vegetal more floral as it opens.

Palate: very well made. Linear. Solid fruit. A bit interesting. Hint licorice. The best version of a classic bistro pinot.

Martines

$23
— 9 months ago

Moccagatta

Cole Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019

Powerhouse with a nice aromatic nose. Will still improve! — a year ago

Edo, Freek and 12 others liked this

James Cole

Napa Valley Petit Verdot 2009

Somm David T
9.4

It’s good to follow Winemakers. I follow Charles Hendricks. However, Charles last James Cole vintage was 2013.

100% Petit Verdot in anyone’s hands is tricky. This 09 made by Charles is elegant young...just as it is now. It’s just rounder & softer after 9 1/2 years in bottle. It still has teeth but, complex & floral with dark, grippy tarry, round tannins. The darkest of roasted & used expresso grounds, dry earth with dark & brilliant florals. Beautiful acidity and elegant persistent finish.

This offering has another 10-15 of good drinking ahead. Properly stored of course.

Photos of; James Cole Winery, outside tasting lounge, signature bronze logo statute and James’ classic car in their fermentation cellar.
— 6 years ago

Eric, Paul and 27 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Erster Zweieiiger Zwilling Cole Ranch Riesling

Drinking quite nicely at 8+ years — 5 months ago

James Cole

Napa Valley Malbec 2012

Somm David T
9.4

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.

Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.

It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness.
— 6 months ago

Julie, Severn and 7 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Zweiter zweieiiger Zwilling Cole Ranch Riesling 2020

Petrol/diesel aromas, crisp and clean, nice bone dry Riesling. — 7 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Pooneet, Dave and 2 others liked this

James Cole

Umbral Estate Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Somm David T
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.
— 9 months ago

Vanessa, Rick and 15 others liked this

Moccagatta

Vigneto Cole Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012

Smokey and hint of tobacco - full of tannins but ends mid palate. Enjoyable — 4 years ago

Michael AronoviciLM SegalDavid Stein
with Michael, LM and 1 other
LM, Andrew and 20 others liked this

Azienda Agricola Quazzolo

Cole Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2017

This is the barbaresco cole.

Nose is cherry flower with some spice. Expansive. Beautiful perfume. As it opens the nose gets a bit darker. Deep Lilacs?

Palate has that quazzolo just grab you by your socks better than fruit fruit. Some spice. A hint of cherry licorice. Super fresh. As it opens a bit Plummer but still fresh.

Bought from fass selections
— 5 years ago

Andrew, Aravind and 8 others liked this

Altavins Viticoltors

Almodi Petit Terra Alta Red Blend

Cole loved this one, Josh said its ok — 6 years ago