David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy New Year! 🎉🎊🎈🎆 🧨

1997 Jones Family, the year prior to TRB taking the helm and yet still a fantastic Napa vintage that is singing.

For me, this is classically styled Napa Cabernet. This is still not descending. Has another 5-8 years of good drinking and perhaps beyond.

Showing dark, meaty, dry, velvety tannins. Dark currants-blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, raspberries, plum pudding, chocolate mousse/cake, caramel, mocha powder, dark spice, dry top soil, dry, crushed rocks, anise, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, used leather, graphite, dry stone, volcanic clay, withering, dark, red, purple flowers, excellent round acidity and a well made, balanced, nicely tensioned, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and falls onto earth & spice. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Leaner than the El Puntido. This is more classic Tempranillo. Drier & earthier.

Beautiful wine. Ripe, juicy & slightly candied & floral fruits of; mid to dark cherries, black raspberries, black raspberries, dry blue berries. Cherry cola, dry tobacco w/ ash, dry leathery, barrel staves, muddy herb mix, dark, dry spices, steeped, sun tea, mid; clove, nutmeg, vanilla, limestone minerals, crushed limestone/dry rocks, dry flowers that are black, red w/ dry lavender, round, high acidity with a high, dry tannin finish that falls on to the wild, dry, earthy, wildest finish that is balanced for many minutes.

Paired this with/ a dry rub tri-tip and a burgundy marinaded Cardiff Crack tri-tip. Both very different and enjoyable, but liked the dry rub with the Rioja.

Photos of, my visit to the Bodega, old oak vats that are decades old, neutral wood that is still used as of 2015 when I visited & been repaired endlessly, old wood press and tasting room outside their cellar/tasting room. — 7 months ago

Ken Powell

8.9

ok had with Penny Feb 1/22; $29 — 3 years ago

romo

9.2

A bit macerated comes off as sweet, but the markers for textbook chenin are clear. — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Papa luis xfg — 6 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.4

Deep ruby in color; blackberries, black cherries, and cedar on the nose; medium acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like plums, strawberry jam, violets, and clay pots with a long finish. Nellie loves it! And so do I. — 8 months ago

with Nellie

Joseph Gannon

9.6

velvety smooth, big fruited Cab. Cedar, baking spice, cigar wrapper, campfire smoke, stewed black fruits. Label says 15.6abv, hard to believe, a delicious cab — 2 years ago

with Brooke

Jason Phillips

9.2

Great nose. Complex but well balanced. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 30% petit syrah, 9% merlot, 4% petit verdot, 4% malbec. Enjoyed at the castle in Napa. — 4 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.4

I couldn’t wait any longer — 7 months ago

with Sarah

Ron R

9.5

See my prior notes. Excellent example. Rarely falls short. — 8 months ago

with Anne-marie