Clay Bullwinkel

9.2

Jack London’s hearty legacy. Fine Zinfandel. — 3 days ago

Brian Boulden

9.1

Nice very nice but is it worth double Bullet or Makers Mark. Every one should try at least once in their lifetime though — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. 135 cases made. Barrett Vineyard on some little property known as Chateau Montelena. Last vintage of this was 2007. Rest has been blended elsewhere since. 14.8% and all French oak. Some punch/acidity with plenty of brooding body and a little performance fruit. Far from gratuitous. Very interesting given the pedigree, involvement and performance. 3.13.24. — 7 months ago

Dylan Thomas

9.0

Heater. Surprisingly decent for my mom’s house — 22 days ago

Bob Rodgers

9.7

Dark purple; a tight nose leads to woodsy, cedar box and slight smoke. Full tannins give way to dark brambly fruits like blackberries and currants. It lingers as a fine wine should. A gem from Kenwood. 2005 a fine vintage. — 6 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Cobb is another solid producer of CA Pinot Noir. A 14 acre parcel bought in 1988 by Ross Cobb and began making wine in 1989.

The nose reveals ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries, hints of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb, tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dry top soil w/ crushed rocks, light, fresh tobacco, volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets.

The palate is ripe, juicy and very elegant. Fruits are; ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, raspberries, hues of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb and pomegranate juice. Tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dark, moist spice, very, dry, dusty top soil w/ crushed rocks, crumbled volcanics, dry, grey clay, light, fresh tobacco, cigar & volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets. The excellent acidity runs like a cool mountain river with a well knitted, structured, balanced, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts over a minute landing on soft minerality & spice.

This 14 has another 4-5 years of good drinking before it starts its gentle decline.

Photos of the Jack Hill Vineyard, winery gate and founder Ross Cobb. — 8 months ago

Udi Shaham

9.2

Great wine, lovely passion fruit notes — a month ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Flavorful and fruity. — 4 months ago

Brian S

9.5

Tertiary on the nose, black soil, coffee, chocolate, charred barrel, a touch hot, red and predominantly blue fruit in mouth, chalky mouthfeel. — 7 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The follow up to the 03 Leonetti. @Paul T- Huntington Beach & I have been telling readers about older Jones Family Vineyards for some time. If you haven’t had or not tried this producer it will be the last time I try to entice to you to try this producer. Talking about it more will only drive up the prices on the secondary market.

This 09 is damn beautiful after nearly a four hour decant but it is still fairly youthful.

It is ruby, lush, gorgeous, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, dark cherries, plum, hues of purple, blue fruits & raspberries, poached strawberries, black licorice, mixed, dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry top soil, dry herbs, hints of eucalyptus, dry clay, dry tobacco, new leather, spice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, withering red & dark florals framed in violets & lavender, beautiful round acidity, beautiful; balance, tension, structured, smartly polished finished that lasts minutes.

Still needs another 5-8 years to show its best self.

The Jones Family vineyard is located off Bale Lane in Calistoga and was planted to all five Bordeaux varieties by David Abreu in the early 1990s. Heidi Barrett made the wines until 2008, and Thomas Rivers Brown now makes the wines. — 9 months ago