Selections
The guys at Nine North have magically assembled a brilliant team of people - both philosophically and in terms of sheer talent and vision. The formula is perfect in that their foundation lies within the long-standing, highly reputable Vineyard Management of the Regusci family. In tandem and at the heart of their trend-setting nature is Jim Gill and James Harder - two incredibly passionate, young-minded and intelligent guys from British Columbia that have been surrounded by winemaking their entire lives. They bring fresh ideas and unsurpassed quality and value to the Napa Valley, utilizing the incredible sourcing from both the Regusci Estate in the heart of Stag's Leap and from having an instant 'in' elsewhere via the respected success of Regusci Vineyard Management. Pair these brilliant minds and vineyard locales with the finesse and touch of instrumental winemaker Charles Hendricks and you have a team that will single-handedly grow the industry and the love for Napa Valley wines for years to come - making it affordable, accessible and packed with flavor, class and style. Working with Nine North is a total blast in that we just watch and wait to see what they have up their sleeves next and as they build brands of superior prestige and total personal (and collective) immersion and investment.
- Jaden Pinot Noir Icewine
- Parcel 41 Merlot
- Hope & Grace "Sleepy Hollow" Pinot Noir
- Wooden Nickel Petite Syrah
- James Cole Cabernet Sauvignon
Jaden Pinot Noir Icewine
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The Stats:
Winemaker:
- Dr. Alan Marks
Production:
- 156 six packs (375mls)
Cepage:
- 100% Pinot Noir (naturally frozen on the vine)
Vineyard Sourcing/Clones:
- Douglas Vineyard
Winemaking:
- Grapes harvested at -9c February 22nd; 6 hours of pressing; fermented at 36 Brix
Barrel Aging:
- 11 months in Acacia Oak barrels
The Score From the 'Door:
Jaden Icewine is a true example of one of the most natural and amazing occurrences in a grape's brief lifetime on the vine, graciously achieving a level of ripeness, richness and concentration of fruit, and degree of complexity that is rarely matched and often unparalleled, the world over. Much to the surprise and joy of Jim Gill and James Harder, Pinot Noir reached this milestone and zenith right in their backyards, having grown up in the remote winemaking region of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Jaden's prized and minute production in select vintages is an experience in the wine world that can't be missed. Fully realizing that we have all had our fair share of sloppy and sometimes silly dessert wines, Jaden represents a clear exception. In its youth it is vibrant with typical bright cherry and strawberry fruits enhances by a shot of aged balsamic holding its clean structure with a mystifying acidity. As the Pinot ages and evolves, its complexity and integration fosters an off-dry (but far from sweet and syrupy) texture that is satiny, smooth and alive with spice and dried fruits. This wine is in close running for one of the most geeky and revelatory moments in a life of experimenting and imbibing.
Parcel 41 Merlot, Napa Valley 2003
Download tech sheet in PDF format
The Stats:
Winemaker:
- Charles Hendricks
Production:
- 936 cases
Cepage:
- 100% Merlot
Vineyard Sourcing / Clones:
- 100% multiple Napa Valley sources
Winemaking:
Barrel Aging:
- 16 months in 1 year old French Alliers and Troncais oak
The Score From the 'Door:
This wine speaks precisely to the vision and flawless execution of what the guys at Nine North Wines are all about. In a sea of less than average Merlot that we have been lulled to sleep by and nearly dismissive and complacent, comes Parcel 41. A prime example of the quality that can be achieved in having access to the right vineyard sites where the rather testy grape can thrive. Impressively, they have created a solidly structured wine comprised of 100% Napa Merlot that is packed with dense, serious food-friendly brooding fruit flavors and is balanced by exotic Indian spices and a level of complexity and depth that is rarely attained in Merlot at this price point.
Hope & Grace 'Sleepy Hollow' Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands - Monterey 2003
Download tech sheet in PDF format
The Stats:
Winemaker:
- Charles Hendricks
Production:
- 302 cases
Cepage:
- 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard Sourcing / Clones:
- Sleepy Hollow Vineyard - Monterey County
Winemaking:
Barrel Aging:
- 14 months Remond and Cadus French Oak barrels
The Score From the 'Door:
Hope & Grace is the private label of renowned winemaker Charles Hendricks and is thoroughly fashioned by (and named for) the inspiration of his two daughters. A long-time goal of Charles' is represented in both the gift of his children and in taming Pinot Noir into a style that is all his own. Sourced from the famed Monterey Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Hope & Grace generously exudes the power and intellectualism that is rarely exposed and coaxed from California Pinot Noir. The wine is strident yet generous, masculine in its backbone, yet pretty and alluring in its complexities and subtleties. All in all, Charles creates a unique and intricate balance that shows ample Pinot fruit, characteristic to the Santa Lucia Highlands, and richness and depth that is both pleasant now and will continue to reward those that allow its youth to grow towards maturity. If there was something symbolic that Mr. Hendricks was attempting to share in its namesake, he has undoubtedly achieved it. The label art is from a piece of the winemaker's personal extensive collection that profoundly (or not so) speaks to the family and to the inherent beauty in creation.
Wooden Nickel Petite Syrah, Yountville - Napa Valley 2003
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The Stats:
Winemaker:
- Charles Hendricks
Production:
- 120 cases
Cepage:
- 100% Petite Syrah
Vineyard Sourcing / Clones:
- Yountville (old vines)
Barrel Aging:
- 16 months in 1 year old French Alliers and Troncais oak
The Score From the 'Door:
Wooden Nickel is the culmination of a life-long tribute to the wisdom, words and values that were passed on to the winery's founder, Jim Gill. In honor of his father and for the continued celebration of his mother's longevity and assured well-being, Jim's solo project in sourcing and composing old vine Petite Syrah from a remote and seemingly long-forgotten Yountville site is quite a statement in both its significance and purpose as it is in its utter appeal and true representation of the grape's potential. The all too frequent mishandling of Petite Syrah (Sirah) is brilliantly redeemed in this inaugural vintage of Wooden Nickel as the wine clearly carries its characteristic mass and endless depth of girth and luxurious richness, yet is not masked by the oak induced creaminess that often "sweetens" and softens its true nature. The result is focused and angular, yet clear and expressive of the simultaneous bursts of jammy, even floral, blue fruits and the balancing structure of dark bitter chocolate and licorice that comprise its sturdy tannins. Jim's handcrafted victory, attention to every detail and selective resources (and miniscule production) certainly echo and embody his father's words - "don't take any Wooden Nickels."
James Cole Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2003
Download tech sheet in PDF format
The Stats:
Winemaker:
- Charles Hendricks
Production:
- 250 cases
Cepage:
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Sourcing / Clones:
- Mud's Kitchen Block / Clone 7 (60%)
- Marleigh's Block / Clone 4 (20%)
- Rancho Caballo Block / Clone 337 (20%)
Barrel Aging:
- 20 months in 100% New Chateau Ferre (medium + toast) French Allier Oak
The Score From the 'Door:
The pursuit and passion of husband and wife team James and Colleen Harder bring us a brilliantly promising brand new Napa Valley winery in the creation of James Cole. Foresight and perseverance to fulfill a collective dream urged them to capitalize on a 10 acre plot of pristine Cabernet Sauvignon vines that became available. The impressive fruit source, located off the Silverado Trail just south of the Stag's Leap District, was most recently utilized exclusively for a good portion of the production of Joseph Phelps' famed Insignia bottling. Even in its first release in 2003, James Cole Cabernet already displays its pedigree in large fashion. And large it is, in composure and stature, ideally mimicking the many complexities and an assured longevity that the great wines of Bordeaux are so justifiably reputed for and so frequently boast. The seamless integration of dark brambly fruits and a lead-like minerality fueled by the thickness of licorice and deep Christmas spice will make this wine a pleasure to sample throughout its sure-to-be intriguing evolution and colorful legacy.