Wine Wednesday: James Cole Winery - Where You're Family.

Rows of warm, red and orange leaves shimmer like gold as you make your way up the drive to James Cole Winery. Plump grapes dangle like sapphires, just aching to be picked. If you’re able to snag one off the vine, the pop of a sweet, nectar-like juice hits your taste buds and offers glimpse of the velvety smooth wines that lie ahead.

My leopard Zara heels crunch on pebbles below my feet as I make my way to a charming, sun warmed stone building surrounded with remnants of fall. I am greeted by my host, Dustin Moon, who cheerfully welcomes me in like family. The ambiance of being welcomed home instantly puts me at ease. That is what James Cole winery is all about though - family.

James Harder met Colleen Cramsie in 1998 while Colleen was living in San Francisco and James lived in Vancouver. After a year of long-distance dating, James moved to San Francisco to be with Colleen and they married exactly a year later. In 2000, they purchased their 10-acre property on the Silverado Trail in Napa with hopes of growing a vineyard as well as a family to share it with. They welcomed their daughter, Marleigh in 2005 and their son, Tyson, in 2007. You can even find wines named after their children, reflecting their growth with each vintage. Seven years after their purchase of their property, Colleen and James opened the doors of the James Cole Winery tasting room. The name is derived from their first names - Cole, being Colleens high school nick name. If you look across the drive you can see the house that James and Colleen live and raise their children in. I had the privilege catch a glimpse of young Tyson Harder practicing his skate boarding skills as I roamed the Bocci Ball court.

There are so many scenic places to relax throughout the property, that it makes you want to keep coming back just so you can relax (or play) in them all. Choose to have your wine at the bar, on a terrace surrounded by stone walls and plush outdoor couches, along side the bocci ball court underneath a pergola, or in room surrounded by barrels and old Harleys as classic movies play above your head. There is even a Rolling Stones pinball machine if you’re feeling playful (and blankets if you’re feeling chilly). James has quite the love of rock n’ roll, vintage cars and motorcycles which is all reflected throughout the property. You can even spot James’ ‘59 Inca Silver Corvette parked in the tank room on occasion. James’ love of rock n’ roll is even reflected on each tank, which is named after some of his favorite artists.

It was a gorgeously crisp fall day, so I chose to sit on the stone veranda. Dustin brought out a rosé bearing little resemblance to the rosé fad you see so heavily marketed at the moment. This Provence style 2018 rosé was a delicate peach color. Most rosés in Napa tend to be made in a method where red wine is produced with “limited time on the skins” to produce the notable pink color. James Cole Winery’s Rosé has no skin contact, therefore, it lacks the conventional pink hue. However, the clean and crisp flavor is enjoyably easy to drink and lacking the usual astringent taste on the back end that is common with most Napa rosés . It boasts soft notes of fruit that linger on the tongue at the end. Everything about this wine was done with a purpose. The grapes are picked early where the sugars aren’t high enough to make this a high alcohol volume wine. It is about 12% alcohol in volume and is old-school, basket pressed. While it costs more to make a rosé this way, James Cole knows that the extra time and cost is worth this unique rosé. It is a wine that shines with purpose and the love of a winemaker who knows his craft well. The low price tag on this finely crafted wine is almost criminal at mere $40. So, you may want to consider buying a case as this wine will be a shining accompaniment to your meals all year long. Dare I say it? It may even steal the show!

My personal favorite was the 2016 Privado, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The dark, rich favors of this wine are silky smooth from beginning to end. Tastes of bright red berry acidity start the journey, leading into plum, cassis and spices that delight the palette with a perfect balance. The diversity of this wine fits a large range of taste buds, making it the perfect wine to serve to all people at all ends of the spectrum when it comes to flavor. The Privado sells for $100 per bottle. This wine is a celebration in a bottle, making it ideal for date nights and special occasions. I purchased a bottle of the 2016 Privado and can’t wait to “wow” my Thanksgiving crowd this year.

We then moved onto the 2016 Malbec. Malbec has always been one of my go-to wines, so, I was ecstatic when we got down the tasting list to this wine. This wine is 100% Malbec and as Dustin aptly described it, “a velvety hug for your mouth.” The first taste makes your mouth water and you can’t help but take sip after sip. Notes of peppery spice tingle your senses. This wine is ripe and juicy on the pallet. The perfect balance of spice and dark fruit make for a dream-like drinking experience. This bottle sells for $75.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from grapes grown 100% on the property. This wine takes a turn from the previous smooth and dark fruit wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon was surprisingly light on the oak flavor despite being aged in French Oak barrels. Spicy, peppery notes tantalize your nose while the taste of vanilla and raspberry led to a finish of vibrant acidity at the end. This Cabernet Sauvignon sells for $85 and is one of their most popular wines.

The 2016 Umbral pays homage to the art that graces the establishment’s entry (as well as all its bottles). While on vacation in Laguna Beach, James and Colleen saw a statue named Umbral in a gallery by a Mexican artist names Olivia Guzman. The word Umbral translates to “threshold.” James and Colleen felt this statue embodied tremendous balance, structure, strength and beauty which correlated to their passion for making world-class wines. James and Colleen believe that in life’s pursuits, you have to push the threshold to achieve true greatness. This Cabernet Sauvignon lives up to its name, showing bold notes and rich, dark flavors that pushes the threshold on the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. This is aged 24 months in French Oak barrels, giving it a light oak and spice flavor. Umbral is big, bold and has a rich presence. Decant for further, robust flavors. The Umbral sells for $150. Savor now or age further for future enjoyment.

The 2015 Tyson Red blend was bursting with notes of currants, cassis with hints of minerality. The Tyson blend is a ride, as is begins with bold flavors and then ends gracefully into velvety smooth finish. The bold and strong flavors pay homage to their son, Tyson, who is as bold and brilliant as this wine. A bottle of the Tyson Red Blend is $65 with a pleasant balance between graceful and daring.

While James Cole Winery is a boutique winery producing around 3,000 cases per year, their wines are anything but small. Their wines, while traditional, are thoughtfully curated and each wine is a crowd-pleaser. James Cole wines are a conundrum as they are delicate in their structure while surprising you midway with bold, standout flavors. You may recognize the wine maker Bertus Van Zyl from my article on Tank Garage Winery. While a mad scientist of blending at Tank, here at James Cole Winery, he focuses on perfecting the classics making red wines from Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. They also produce small amounts of Zinfandel, Syrah Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

So, how can you get your hands on their sinfully delicious wines? I recommend a visit to their tasting room. Their personable staff will make you feel like family from start to finish. They’re extremely knowledgeable about their craft. They also are happy to take you on a journey of not only the history of their wines but also of the people who make this place a HOME. They have a saying at James Cole - “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” The staff lives up to that motto, making you want to come back, kick up your feet and be regaled with more stories.

James Cole wines are available at a few local restaurants but otherwise you will need to purchase directly from either their tasting room or website. You can also join their wine club which is shipped quarterly. Join their Charter tier and receive 2-3 bottles quarterly for $175-$225 per shipment and 5% off additional purchases. With their Coalition tier you will receive 3-4 bottles at $270-$315 per shipment and 10% off all additional purchases. Lastly, is their Collection Tier where you will receive 5-6 bottles quarterly for $425-$470 per shipment and 15% off all additional purchases.

Visit James Cole today at 2014 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558 or visit their website at www.jamescolewinery.com