Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I went to Covert to taste the Nicholas Jones Sleeping Lady. I have two vintages (14 & 16) in my collection but have never had one. I bought on recommendation from @Paul T HB.

I had hoped to try their 2023 but they are still tasting their 2019. Per my host, they hold back their Sleeping Lady awhile longer to age further in bottle.

This 2019 was the best in the tasting. It demonstrated to me that I could open my 14 or 16 or continue to hold awhile longer.

I would say that the Nicholas Jones demonstrate more depth & character over the Covert. — a day ago

Paul T HB

9.6

Perfect accompaniment for some Wagyu Flank from Allen Brothers,
2 bottles down 3 to go — 4 years ago

Mary Bell

9.0

Nice and balanced — 5 years ago

Robert

10

Sweet and bubbly and tastes like strawberries. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I have posted a number of older vintage Jones Family Cabernets. Many 20 yrs and older. Three to four 97’s…none better than this one. I give few wines a score above 96. This is different. It is so close to perfect. Some might give it a 100. I struggle to give a wine a perfect 100. I have only done it 4 times in an estimated 25k wines tasted or bottles I’ve enjoyed. One was a port made before 1886 and tasted in Oporto at Taylor Fladgate’s tasting room in 2015, it was their Scion. Only sold there and at the time 5k at bottle. You end up there purchase the Scion taste regardless of the current cost. They put on a tasting show for you. I am half tempted here to give out a 100 but will refrain.

I am not sure what to add to that but will attempt to do so.

The nose is a beautiful, perfectly evolved Napa Cabernet. Nothing overpowers any of its singular components. I think the word I am looking for is harmony. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best, mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a flutter note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue & framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets.

The palate wire to wire is even & stupidly, gloriously, grand. It mirrors the nose very closely. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box w/ some light palate heat, best I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, kirsch not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, beautifully layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, caramel, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco w/ a hint is ash, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, dry, crushed rock powder, dry top soil, crushed limestone powder, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a fluttering note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets, perfect, rainfall acidity, extremely well balanced, even & subtle tension-structure that stands up on the long set, refined elegance with a finish that goes on and on and eventually lands on spice & beautiful, refined earthiness.

What a bottle! 98 that leans into 99. I paid somewhere between $80-$90 on the secondary market for this bottle. — 16 days ago

Ron R

9.1

We purchased a case from the winery. This is a subtle expression of chard. Bridges the divide between Napa opulence and steely burgs. Nice zippy nose, which presents grapefruits and white flowers. Palate displays lemon, with a wisp of sage. A hint of oak is also evident. Drink these now. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Paul J

9.3

Same as previous bottles/notes, but starting to fade. — 2 years ago

with Brooke

Douglas Braun

9.0

This is the 2022 Vintage - out of a 375ml - have a soft spot for this Winery when Brice Jones owned it he had the most amazing Chardonnay symposium with speakers from around the world - Now it’s owned by Brown Forman ( big distributor) Made in the same style lees contact - toasted bread , toasted nuts , honey , butterscotch, medium bodied , med acidity , — 2 years ago

Anthony Auger

9.0

Mint and pear on the nose. Upfront there’s a really interesting impression of cotton candy or bubblegum. Then I get a mild apple cider vinegar and tart pear note. Finishes with a strong lemon oil linger. Aged pretty nicely, only a hint of ferment that I actually kind of linked! — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Wonderful earthy perfume of red fruits, rose petals, mushroom, decayed plant matter, sous bois. Aromas that you go back to time and time again - intoxicating. Medium bodied palate with resolved Tannins, M minus acid and M plus length. Really should not have a Bass Phillip Premium under 10 years of age. 2009 was a good year for BP so Phillip Jones said at the time, but they would have had vintages since which equal or slightly better this. One of Australia’s best Pinot Noirs. — 6 years ago