Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are.

Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs.

1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97.

The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers.

The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones.

I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic. — 2 months ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.8

Over the Easter weekend I opened for friends the 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley St. Helena, California a blend of 89%Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Other.

I let decant for at least an hour on the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, cedar, spice, roses, crushed gravel and earth.

On the palate there was black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, mint, sandalwood, crushed gravel and earth.

This wine was rated 100 by both Jeb Dunnick and Wine Advocate whom I respect highly and can totally understand their exuberance for this wine but I couldn't make it quite there. I found that this is full bodied with a freshness and smooth mouthfeel medium + to high acidity and medium + high grainy crunchy tannins that gives a beautiful long dark fruit gravelly earthy finish. An eceptional wine by any means and I am glad to have a few more at rest in my cellar for this wine has many years to continue to develop. Our Easter weekend was one of excitement and exuberance where we had a baby shower on Saturday for our daughter who is expecting the last week of May first week of June which will be our second grandchild. Easter day we spent with family and friends which the day was spectacular. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy with peace to all. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Talk about an enormous wine. The 2005 is downright youthful and packed to the gills with fruit and character. Dark fruited with anise and black pepper. It was just so dense that everything seemed locked up right now…and we can thank Mourvedre for that. This was very tasty with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. If I were going to open another one of these, I would probably hold until 2030 and this will probably last for another 25 years beyond that. A massive wine with a long future yet ahead. — a year ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Light garnet, medium body, accessible tannins even young, though we know this can age forever. High acid, Nebbiolo-like, feels cool climate. Pomegranate, cherry, bit of smoke, tar and dried herbs, perfect shareable size too — 2 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.5

We cant get enough of this wine. When out of towners visit and they want to experience a high quality Idaho wine, this is what we serve. Not too many winemakers can make Idaho grown Cab Sauv work, but the unique layout of this small vineyard makes an excellent wine. Vibrant dark cherry with well integrated but very present oak laced tannins that control the punchy juice into a charged balance that explodes in your mouth. Best Idaho Cab bar none! — 3 years ago

with Federico and Tammy

Steven

9.0

Our go to pseudo sommelier and both bar tenders gave this one 2 thumbs up, while encouraging us to make this our 1st up vineyard next time we are in Napa. Perched high in the mountains, a super smooth, slightly jammy Jen is produced. That said, all I can think about is the beauty next to me…blessed — 4 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

I love this Bordeaux from Medoc! Per WE vintage chart the 2015 rates in at a 99, of course not ready to drink yet! I have a few more tucked away and wanted to give this a spin! Thank you @David T for the recommendation!
Finesse is all I can say. Every element is meshed exceedingly well! Smoke, chocolate, dark berries, espresso, earth, leather, pencil lead, and violets.
This wine does not have the wallop of a Napa cab..but think Old World on steroids! — 4 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Yeah, what can I say. Nice wine for sure, but for some reason when I see the Silver Oak label my expectations rise. Realizing this is the Alexander Valley version. But 2011! Thirteen years old. Still rather single note, strong oak tannins still overshadowed what maybe underneath it. A bit disappointed I am afraid. We pulled it out with my first ever Tomahawk ribeye… so yeah. — a year ago

with Tammy

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

Friday night I opened the 2019 Pride Mountain Vineyards 70% Napa County/30% Sonoma County Merlot. From St. Helena, California.

On the nose there is nlack cherry, plum, black raspberry, black currant, oak, chocolate, herbaceous notes and dark earth.

On the palate there is vlack cherry, black raspberry, plum sauce, black currant, spice, oak, chocolate, tobacco, tar black pepper and dark rich earth.

This ia a full bodied wine with medium + to high acidity and medium + mouthcoating crunchy tannins that leaves you with a long dark fruit woody finish. A new week is upon us and we can look ahead with hope and positivity. Let us all stay healthy and safe to a great week ahead. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

Less dense and minerally compared to the 09' d'Eugenie Clos Vougeot, but it was my preferred red Burg on the table. It just had more energy! Pure and pretty bouquet of red and black fruits (leaning on the latter), florals, savory spice, and earth. The same can be said of the palate, with quite a bit of power in the back-end. Finishes weighty with a drawn out fruit sweetness that's perfectly in tension with the saline, tangy elements. Dissipated quickly over dinner. Another win for the sisters and 2010!

NB: An episode on Wineking got me thinking about the way I rate wines. Totally "unprofessional". Haha. The hosts were talking about how wine professionals have to forgo preferences and put on their thinking hats to judge wines, which makes perfect sense (and is taught in WSET too) but I just rate wines here based on how "drinkable" it is to me (and in context of the occassion). Scores wise, I'm sure this was the "lesser" of the two red Burgs we had. Just had less "substance". But "drinkability" wise, clearly everyone thought this was better. — 4 years ago