Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Something to help the transition from Champagne to Cabernet.

Cobb & Hirsh Pinot Noirs are quite similar to me. Both well made, are good but have never astounded.

This 2014 is near its precipice.

The body is round & inviting. I sense a touch of tannins. Black cherries, blackberries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, just a hint of rhubarb, hovering raspberries, plum, and black raspberries. Tree sap, hints of eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, light clove, some nutmeg, cinnamon, and feathery vanillin, lightly grilled meats, mix of fresh and used tobacco with soft ash, old used leather, soft, black pepper, mid dark spice, sandalwood, sandstone, red, purple and dark flowers, nice acidity with a softly tensioned, nicely balanced, elegantly, soft finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands softly on mid toned spices on the long set. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This was a nice Cabernet Franc. I enjoyed the style of the Nicholson Jones slightly better than the coverts. Although the overall style is similar. It was smooth, elegant and consistent wire to wire. But again, just never popped like I felt it should. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

@Delectable This is the Covert 337/191.

Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.

I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the Coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.

The Covert wines are spendy. North of $250 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.

Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Tasted all three of their 2023 Cabernets. All outstanding. Believe when they are scored, each one will receive between 97-100. This one showed more elegance-beauty on this day but the other two are the slightly better wines. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 2012 J. Lassalle Special Club is made from 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. The vines average 50 yrs old. Hails from Chigny-Les-Roses. Winemakers Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier farm using the practice of Lutte Raisonnée, which means they fall just short of organic. Sustainable but use minimal chemicals. Rain during and at the end of the season when Mother Nature doesn’t dry the grape clusters, chemicals are often necessary to prevent mold. This isn’t Sauternes!

Texturally, it is quite nice. Beautiful fine mousse and micro oxygenation. Lively but not aggressive acidity.

Green & golden apples, pear, pineapple, lime/lemon with zest, orange citrus blend, green melon & kiwi. White spice, bread dough, nougat, limestone bits, thick chalky powder, graham cracker crust, melted caramel, vanillin, saline, sea fossils, unstated herbaceous notes, fruit blossoms, spring flowers with an elegant, smartly polished, well balanced, nicely structured-crafted finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on volcanics & spice on the long set.

You could make case for 94 here. Perhaps fully with a few more yrs of bottle age.

Pairs well with the Jasper Hill Farms Limited Edition of their Champagne washed Harbison soft white. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.

I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.

The Covert wines are spendy. North of $250 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.

Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Another amazing 23 Napa Cabernet. This one will reveal its best self in the mid game window of 15-30 yrs. When this gets scored, it has high potential for a 💯. — 3 days ago

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. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.

I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.

The Covert wines are spendy. North of $225 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.

Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling.

This was slightly better & showed a bit more but rounding up to 94. Definitely, shows the herbal sage on the nose. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The Vocabulum is the sure bet to win the long game of 20 plus yrs because of it big structure. Window of 20-40 yrs for its best depending on how you enjoy them. Another candidate for a perfect score when the ratings come out Spring-Summer next yr. — 3 days ago