Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mostly Petite Sirah with small amounts of Syrah, Grenache and other mixed Rhône varieties, aged 14 months in American oak, 19% new, very dark Ruby-purple with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to full spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory grippy tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. A powerhouse! Decant first! — 4 months ago

Mike Holzer

9.3

End of night with Naranath and John . Drank with chocolate cake. As suspected perfect match. Very smooth delicious dark fruit hint of coconut love it — a year ago

with Ania

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Deep gold. Nose and palate yield candied apricot, honey, white flowers, baked peach, and pineapple birthday cake. Perfect balancing acidity. Lingering finish extends the palate. Geez! And this isn’t even a Premier Cru. Drink now through forever. — 4 years ago

Somm 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. — 6 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

I did. see one comment were this wine lost it. But this bottle seems to be fine. Yet i would definitely pull the 17’s from the cellar and drink them up. Perfumed, Cumin - never had that in a wine. Crushed marble. Very good. Tons of tannins. Unique. More in 2 hours. Still great. Pine needles, More tomorrow. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Beautiful nose of strawberries and brioche. Tart strawberry flavors and sponge cake flavors. Creamy and delicate. Pleasant surprise! — 4 years ago

Roger Ray

9.4

Beautifully layered Argentine Malbec. — 8 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.9

Addictive and absolutely stunning. Super elegant and lean when compared to the Buntsandstein from E&M. Ethereal cherry 🍒 light as air. Crushed Marble. Essentially like a Premier Cru Chambolle Musigny from the slopes of the black forest. Tannin’s fully resolved. Drink Up!!!! I would not keep this longer. From here on out it will loose its luster. — 9 months ago

Paco Suro

9.0

Love the sticker. — 3 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

So controversial.
#The 2017 as turned!!!! to a real beauty - finally after 4 years!!!
So there was no need to bully/discredit/return this wine after all.
It is probably the most elegant Liaison they made to date.
I Coravin’ed the bottle drank half and popped it 6 months
later. Resiny, classic E & M Black Forest herbs, crushed marble,
Cigar box, orange zest. One of the few wines I will cellar for 10 years.
This will probably evolve like a Riesling and could last decades.
(I really had trouble with this wine at first - boy was I wrong). — 4 years ago