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. — 7 months ago

Matt Nason

9.0

They make a Chardonnay? Word. — 6 years ago

Matthew Bull

9.2

Don’t stop now....my word. Parker was right. It drinks beautifully early. Wow. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

In a word “Elegant,” 100% organically farmed Tempranillo from village of Laguardia, aged in barrels for nine months limiting the oak influence. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and subtle light spice. Palate, clean and fresh fruit flavors of cherry and sweet blackberry, very smooth with super fine velvet tannins. Long finish, complex ending bringing everything together. Outstanding about 1000 cases made. Don’t hesitate if you see a bottle. — 6 years ago

Rob McCormish

9.4

This was in magnum and served with prime rib at Christmas Eve dinner. In a word, it was outstanding! Deep, meaty flavors gave way to a long, elegant finish. — 8 years ago

Rob Rob

9.5

One word phenomenal.... — 8 years ago

Gregory Knaps

9.3

2002. Finesse is the word. So fresh. Luhmesumodis! — 8 years ago

Perry Atha

9.5

Fantastic !!! One word describes it all — 10 months ago

Ashish Pant

9.4

Fantastic, had one in Fuengirola with fantastic Iberico feather. Soft is the word that comes to mind. Berries and tobacco. The 2018 can grow with age. — 3 years ago

Carter Pelham

9.7

Shared with close friends - everyone’s first Monte Bello, and a great one at that.

Took this bottle out to share at a local fine dining establishment, to pour it blind for our friends. Wrapped neatly in foil. We get seated and explain to our waiter. “The bottle MAY be a little bit older so take care with the cork,” I said, not wanting to give away the age to our friends. He proceeds to break the cork about halfway down, right through. No big deal. He’s a younger guy and I think a little flustered, he goes off to get assistance.

Comes back with another server. As the guy walks back up, I say “Thanks for helping us with our mystery bottle”, clueing him in on the idea that there’s a reason that we have it wrapped in foil. “Would have been nice to know it was an older vintage wine,” he replied brusquely. Ok… Server 2 digs around for a bit with an ah-so before punching the cork into the drink. Oh well. None of us are really phased by this, it happens.

They grab a strainer from the bar. Server 2 starts pouring at a decanter and immediately the first glass or so just goes everywhere on the table. I start to die inside. He remains silent. Gets on target with the rest of the bottle, finishing pouring, and says “Your 2004 Ridge Cabernet”, purposefully ruining the blind tasting, I guess. Walks away without another word, leaving his mortified coworker to clean up his mess and apologize.

This actually happened. On to the wine:

Beautiful medium opacity ruby with no browning.

Smells like a Pauillac on the nose. Blackcurrants, blackberry, black licorice, slight graphite, and damp tobacco. As the night goes on it reveals dill, vanilla, buttered toast, and slight dry woodsy notes.

The wine is surprisingly light in body, very much a claret. The tannins are silky, finely woven, and extremely integrated. The main thing we notice on the palate is that the wine is so perfectly integrated it is a little difficult to pull individual notes out of it. Expansive over the palate without being weighty. The finish is forever.

A memorable evening. — 5 years ago

with Linh and Sarah

Joanna

9.2

Delicious. There’s probably a $5 premium for the word Napa on the bottle, but it’s a delicious example of California Chardonnay. — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 2016 Screaming Eagle is a positively stunning wine. An intense bouquet gives way to a wine of explosive energy and huge textural depth. Graphite, crushed rocks, menthol, sage and dark spice open up gradually in this reticent, brooding Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 is a towering, statuesque wine of the very highest level. That is the good news. The slightly less good news is that it will need a number of years in bottle to be at its very best. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2016 literally does scream, with tons of varietal Cabernet aromatics, flavors and structural drive. In a word: magnificent! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Stacy

9.0

I enjoy this red blend more than most and will continue to have a bottle on hand as it makes me happy. Not good enough? See other, longer, reviews if you want adjectives. Alternatively, buy a bottle and try it for yourself and share with a friend at a party. It’s a fan favorite for-a-reason. And that reason doesn’t have the word “berry” or “legs” or “mocha” — 8 years ago

Brecht Spileers

9.8

100% Grenache and 100% savoir faire. Red mulled and rich fruit, almost “sweet” but only in the best and most elegant sense of the word. Would have a hard time pairing this with food, but then again there’s no reason at all to even consider that. — 8 years ago

with Charlotte

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2012 vintage. Medium body. Subdued nose with just some slightly tart, dark cherry afoot. Some frontal spice box married to that tart, dark cherry and a light muddiness (¿word?). Back end/finishing richness makes an appearance for a spell. Nicely made. Not overwhelming (nor underwhelming) for CA but should go forth and prosper for another 5-7 years at this level. 02.09.25. — a year ago

David Walser

9.2

Nice $30 wine. Will be sharing more with family & friends with our Easter meal. — 4 years ago

PS Michaels

9.1

Burgundian in the best sense of the word. Very good juice. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Honeysuckle, Apricot and a musky note on the nose. On the palate initially a sweet mandarin fleshy note with apricot. With time a plethora of fruits - tropical, stone fruit and citrus even ripe banana. There is a saline streak in the overall minerality. Medium minus acid. Medium plus to profound intensity. This wine has it all. Look up the word delicious in the Dictionary and you will see a photo of this CdP Blanc from Beaucastel!! A blend of 80% Roussanne; 15% Grenache Blanc and 5 % of a few other varieties including Clairette. Lucky to have 1 more bottle. — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.4

One word: sexy. An absolutely explosive nose of dried violet and assorted flower petals, Asian five spice, sweet licorice, succulent strawberries, rhubarb, smoke/flint. Even though Russell is my favorite winemaker I still, up until this point, had not tried any of his Pinots, nor had any pre-conceived notions as to how his Pinots should drink. As such, I kept my expectations comfortably in check. But wow...this is full-throttle, deep, suave, and downright sensual. Freakin’ love it. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Mark Flesher

9.4

Out of the 4 wines opened at The Bird, this one edged out the Numanthia 12 by a hair. Quite similar profiles IMO. This Walla Walla Syrah was quite enjoyable with dark black fruit on the front. Consistent with the 2015 I tasted a bit ago but IMO, this one had a bit more of a smoked beef flavor in the middle that the dark sweet and still youthful fruit gave way. Chose this as the "food" wine since most chose the Bird Burger (a grass fed beef burger)....it went rather well. Popular with the crowd of novices and winos, the smoky finish was very complementary. Maybe I might acquire a few of these WA Syrahs afterall to have for these purposes....(not a word, @Shay A .... 😆) — 8 years ago