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. — a month 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. — a year 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

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. — 21 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 — 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

Serge Mismetti

10

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

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