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

Amit Srivastava

9.2

Medium to full bodied balanced and smooth . Clearly a step or 2 above the std Heitz cab but not sure if the 4 times multiple of price is worth it — 2 years ago

with Gunja and Norman

Diana Gifford

9.7

This is amazing we have had this several times always amazing! — 7 months ago

with Blake

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In Roman times, the estate belonged to a family called Figeacus, main villa stood on the site of the present château. Traces of the original pipework remain. A nice blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc with berry fruit aromas, cigar box spice and floral notes. This 2nd wine shows flavors of blackberry and cherry with spice and oak on soft fine tannins. Full-bodied, long finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral. Good now m, cellar over next 5 years. — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Rustic old school styled Bordeaux with black fruits, cedar, leather, earth, graphite & cigar box. A wine I have had many times that is just hitting its prime with many years ahead — a year ago

Erika Turner

9.2

Had this after a 2020 Rully. Exactly what was needed. Lifted citrusy good times. — 3 years ago

with Rubychick and See

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well at 50 yrs being a wine I have had many times showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, spice & sweet tobacco. — 8 months ago

Ron R

9.3

Tried many times to upload a picture last night, without success. Feed wasn’t refreshing either.
This had begun its decline. Oxidized aroma when the cork was pulled. Cardboard and lemons on the nose. Palate was lively with exotic sweet fruits and baked apples. Remaining acidity kept this from falling off a cliff. Drink these now. — a year ago

with Anne-marie

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — 2 years ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Rated 5 times by Wine Advocate, first rating in 2001 at 89-90 points
Definitely opened too soon, stick with the latest window that puts it at 2035 with a rating of 97 in 2018 — 3 years ago