Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.0

I thought the 2023 vintage was great with steak. Very acceptable — 10 days ago

Ed Chin

9.4

It is so open for business right now. A prime example of Napa old school. Dark fruit and resolved tannins. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

1998 not the best Napa vintage. This defies that a bit. If I rounded up, would make 9.4. From their original winemaker, not TRB as in latter vintages. This is a little the other side of its peak but really delicious. On the first few sips, a touch a tomato w/ leaf. There is even the faintest of bandaid-v/a on the nose.

But the nose reveals slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, and creamy raspberries. Limestone, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, dark, rich earth, mid dark, spices, clove, some ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals.

Slightly, liqueured, stewed fruits of blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries & blueberries on the long open/finish. Limestone, moist, volcanic clays, dry brush, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, warm, salted, caramel, dark fruit tea, dark, rich earth, some fresh tobacco, sandalwood, light, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark spices, clove, vanillin, ruby, lush, fresh & withering dark, red and purple florals framed in violets, round acidity and a well structured, tensioned, balanced, well polished finish that lasts two-minutes. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I will say straight up, I am very disappointed that LVMH bought this historical Napa property. I imagine that Joseph isn’t happy about that. What was the family thinking? First guess, is they lacked their fathers passion & just wanted the money. Maybe, future climate played apart? 🤷‍♂️

I have had the 95 a couple-three times. Again, sounding like a broken record, these are good young, but not great until they are 13-28 yrs in bottle. I’ve had plenty of older JP’s to know.

Once again, I count bottle yrs, not from vintage creation. Human life doesn’t is not counted until birth. Wine for me is no different.

The nose shows slightly brambly fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender.

The palate shows resolved, mushy, thick tannins, insanely fresh, ripe, juicy, brambly fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mulberries, goose berries, red to mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, dark, rounded spices, incense, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, dry river pebbles, moist, grey volcanic clays, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender and liquid violets, insane, summer rainfall acidity, the balance, length are off the charts, soft spoken tension is still apart of this cuvée with lush, elegance for days that lands gently on fruit, clay and spice.

This 95 is not tired and, just, and, I mean, just the other side of its peak with a very drinkable decent over the next 5 yrs.

Glorious evolution & style! 94+ a bit. Cork near perfect and some sediment. — 3 months ago

Branden Reimer

9.0

Had it with pizza. Easy to drink. Not too dry but not sweet. — 4 years ago

Scott Kahn

9.0

Another enjoyable wine from the volcanic mountainside of Mt Etna. Good minerality and bright red fruit. Extremely enjoyable with both pasta and meat courses. — 4 years ago

Zach D

9.0

Very nice. This wine is all mineral. Light citrus fruits, but what I notice is that volcanic soil. Mild reductive notes. High acid. Good length. — 3 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.4

At 6 years old, smooth and reflective of the volcanic terroir. Dark cherry, tobacco. September 2025. — 8 months ago

Carter White

9.2

Super volcanic and fresh. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. Haven’t tasted the 2018 Gravelly Meadow but RRT is more forward drinking-with oodles of berries and earth-than the 2018 Volcanic Hill (usually the fave of the three). Silky finish with that light, yet expressive, Diamond Creek body that they’re known for. — 4 years ago