James Cole Winery

The Making of Suede

The Making of Suede: A James Cole Winery Flagship Cabernet Sauvignon

James Cole Winery is proud to introduce you to our 2018 Suede Cabernet Sauvignon, our most selective and exclusive offering. Suede is the vision of our talented winemaker, Bertus van Zyl, who has spent years studying the unique flavor profiles of each vine in our vineyards. This passion for vineyard diversity and optimal ripeness has led to the creation of a wine with exceptional texture, structure, and mouthfeel.

Winemaking Process

To achieve Suede's signature velvety tannins and luxurious mouthfeel, Bertus uses a variety of maceration techniques, cooperages, and aging lengths. The wine is aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels from top barrel producers, resulting in an extended range of flavors and aromas.

Tasting Notes

The 2018 Suede is a remarkable vintage. It opens with aromas of deep black raspberries, cassis, cocoa powder, and violets. On the palate, it is full-bodied and juicy, with layers of spicy black licorice and blackberry jam flavors. The wine is highlighted by its silky velvety tannins, which give it a luxurious mouthfeel.

Production and Availability

Suede is a rare and noteworthy wine, with a production of just 125 cases (and 60 magnums). It is a flagship Cabernet Sauvignon that dazzles the senses and leaves a lasting impression. With fewer than 40 cases remaining, the 2018 Suede represents the ultimate expression in James Cole winemaking.

A Conversation with Winemaker Bertus van Zyl

To learn more about the making of Suede, we spoke with winemaker Bertus van Zyl.

What inspired you to create Suede?

I was inspired by the desire to create a wine that truly showcased the unique terroir of our Napa Valley vineyards. I wanted to create a wine with exceptional texture, structure, and mouthfeel, and I believe that Suede achieves this goal.

What are some of the challenges of making Suede?

One of the challenges of making Suede is that it is a very selective wine. We only use the best grapes from our vineyards, and we produce a very small quantity of wine each year. Another challenge is finding the right balance of maceration techniques, cooperages, and aging lengths. We want to create a wine that is both powerful and elegant, and it takes a lot of trial and error to find the right balance.

What makes Suede so special?

Suede is a special wine because it is a true expression of our terroir and our winemaking philosophy. We use the best grapes from our vineyards, and we take great care in crafting each and every bottle. Suede is a wine that is meant to be enjoyed and savored.

What do you hope people experience when they taste Suede?

I hope that people who taste Suede will experience the unique terroir of our Napa Valley vineyards. I also hope that they will appreciate the exceptional texture, structure, and mouthfeel of the wine. Suede is a wine that is meant to be enjoyed and savored, and I hope that it will leave a lasting impression on everyone who tastes it.

Watch the full conversation with James and Bertus here:

Oct 30, 2023 at 10:15 AM Permalink