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. — 9 days ago

Paul T HB

8.9

Not any better than the bottle I had last year, not even a Wagyu New York strip helped it out. Strangely didn’t realize I had this last January until I posted it just now and looked up others rating’s🤷🏼‍♂️

I should look these things up before I open a bottle — 3 years ago

Serge Mismetti

10

Une bouteille magnifiquement conservée , bouquet hyper complexe , une grande longueur malgré l’âge et en accord avec le mets — 8 months ago

with Thierry

Serge Mismetti

9.6

Accord magique avec le homard — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Vilmart is a producer that I don’t see posted often. I visited this property in 10/22. Ate the fruit they left behind two- three weeks after they picked the Pinot Noir in their Clos des Goisses vineyard. So bloody delicious. Once you’ve had a steady diet of vineyard grapes, you can no longer eat table grapes. The thing to know about Vilmart, they embrace neutral wood barrels. It’s what makes their cuvées so complex…the wood & air. This is one of their entry level cuvées.

Tonight is a four-course…finishing w/ apple tart from the farmers market. Pairs nicely. The palate is; golden & green bruised apple, Bosc pear, tropical fruits-green melon, kiwi, pineapple juice, lemon & lime flesh, tangerine hues, saline/sea spray, toast, brioche, vanillin, cream, touch of ginger, moist, fine chalkiness, grey volcanic minerals, beautiful acidity, yellow lilies, jasmine, well balanced and polished finish that lasts minutes. From 375ml. — 2 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.4

Impenetrable minerality & acid of young GG Riesling meets saline/citron accord of Chablis. Full of energy & verve but needs time. Lovely work. — 3 years ago

with Alsu

Sean Lyons

9.3

Smells of dark cherries, Coke, vanilla, some apple pie, cinnamon. The initial taste is really great - loads of rich, fruity (prunes) and vanilla sweetness, offset with an interesting tannin. It has a medium finish where the oak becomes more pronounced. Best brandy I’ve had in a while. — 9 months ago

Cathi Swanson

9.1

Not sure if I’m connected to the correct wine. This was rated 90 on some review (posted at Pruetts) and highly recommended by Bill the Wine Guy. $32. Smooth, sweet without being sweet. Not oaky but a bit buttery. — 2 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.1

Quite volatile even after a couple hours’ full decant. Settled down to a more expansive saline/mineral/citrus accord. 😐 — 2 years ago

with Alsu

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.5

Pure decadence! Initial impressions of lemon custard rippled heavily with pure sweet vanilla eventually give way to flavors of baked apricots and peaches.

Luc Morlet, the previous wine maker from Peter Michael, certainly knows how to make a good wine. A few of you that have posted other wines from their portfolio can vouch on the increasing difficulty to find their allocations. Definitely buy when you find! — 3 years ago