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. — 22 days ago

Brad Draper

9.0

Very strange yet delicious wine. Huge smell to taste disparity. Smooth reds and begs you to keep drinking it — 5 years ago

John Tan

9.0

Ovenbird w M and Ritchie. Mineral. Textured. Fresh. Paired well w ankimo.

The 2012 Condrieu Coteaux du Chery, which comes from one of the most heralded sites in the appellation, is also brilliant (as is his 2011!). The most rich and textured of the lineup, it offers thrilling notes of white peach, crushed rock, buttered grapefruit, flowers and tangerine to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, yet brilliantly fresh and detailed texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. It too will drink nicely for 4-5 years. I had a fabulous visit with proprietor Andre Perret at his cellar located just north of Chavanay. Soft spoken, charming and generous, he runs an immaculate cellar and releases up to three Condrieus in a vintage. In addition to his whites, he fashions elegant, almost Burgundian-styled reds from Saint Joseph that warrant more attention. RP95 — 3 years ago

Paola Bailey

9.4

Loved it. Lush, bold flavors soft finish. — 4 years ago

Carter Pelham

9.1

Pinot night - tasted these 3 blind
Brief notes
A great tasting - all wines quite good
Interestingly the Anne Amie was the most California esque - cherry cola and crushed rock. Nice intensity

The failla- beautifully balanced but probably the shortest of the three

Smith&sheth- well done, would have called it burgundy village+ ...savory, elevated, forest floor. Great acidity. The most complex of the 3 — 4 years ago

with Linh and Larry

Willie Carter

9.1

It’s pretty rare that a House’s entry level bottle can challenge other House’s more prestigious offerings. A pale gold hue with truly a plethora of lively bubbles. Impressive perlage. The nose is powerful and engaging. Strong notes of honey and green apples with butterscotch and lemon peels. A smorgasbord of delightful citrus aromas and brioche bread really elevate this.

Almost equal parts of the three Champenois grapes with a dosage of 7 g/l. Disgorged on 7/20 and using 35% of reserve wines, there is a depth to the champagne that many others simply can not compare with. It starts off a bit angular but soon develops nicely in the glass. The acidity is bright, the body full, and the mouthfeel rich. Biodynamic without certification.

The palate is the definition of precise with crisp fruit and beautiful chalky minerality. Pears, grapefruits, and light red cherries shine. Toasted bread, nuts, and more autolytic touches. Marzipan and a little oak just for kicks. This is outstanding wine and can stand proudly next to some of the bigger boys out there. — 5 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

Dawn E.

9.1

Rated previously, better each time! I find Alexander Valley most enjoyable of the three Napa, Sonoma). Great balance between fruit and earth...cocoa, pencil lead, plum, underripe dark berries, mild oak, sassafras, and crushed river rock. Med body and tannins, great long finish! — 4 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.4

Big shout out to @Ron R for his selection and generosity. I got started on my wine journey later in life and didn’t have birth year wines for my boys. This wine and vintage marks 21 years for our first son. Thanks again @Ron R !! Let this wine decant for three hours and it got better and better over the three hours. Licorice smell to start, modest cherry, currant. More fruit smells developed over time. Incredibly soft tannins with earth tones coming out as well. Not a fruit bomb like some of the CA wines and enjoy having different choices for special events. — 4 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

This wine is a beast: took three days for this to open up. Once it did it was excellent, but sampling in the days leading up it was incredibly closed. Admittedly the wine was in the fridge with the cork in it, but if you’re going to drink this anytime soon, I’d strongly recommend decanting it for at least 3-4 hours in advance (maybe longer). — 5 years ago

with Vanessa