Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I will say straight up, I am very disappointed that LVMH bought this historical Napa property. I imagine that Joseph isn’t happy about that. What was the family thinking? First guess, is they lacked their fathers passion & just wanted the money. Maybe, future climate played apart? 🤷‍♂️

I have had the 95 a couple-three times. Again, sounding like a broken record, these are good young, but not great until they are 13-28 yrs in bottle. I’ve had plenty of older JP’s to know.

Once again, I count bottle yrs, not from vintage creation. Human life doesn’t is not counted until birth. Wine for me is no different.

The nose shows slightly brambly fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender.

The palate shows resolved, mushy, thick tannins, insanely fresh, ripe, juicy, brambly fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mulberries, goose berries, red to mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, dark, rounded spices, incense, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, dry river pebbles, moist, grey volcanic clays, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender and liquid violets, insane, summer rainfall acidity, the balance, length are off the charts, soft spoken tension is still apart of this cuvée with lush, elegance for days that lands gently on fruit, clay and spice.

This 95 is not tired and, just, and, I mean, just the other side of its peak with a very drinkable decent over the next 5 yrs.

Glorious! 94+. Cork near perfect and some sediment. — 9 hours ago

Serge Dore

9.1

Disappointed by the lack of balance. — a month ago

Damian

9.4

Nose of dark and red fruit, tar, baking spice and some floral notes. Medium acidity plus acidity, long finish, plum, black pepper, well integrated tannins that is present but not in your face, black tea. — 8 months ago

Andrew Schirmer

8.9

Found something drinkable among the acres of plonk in the Juneau liquor store…pretty nice but could use a bit more integration. — 19 days ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Was fine, but nothing to write home about!✍️ — 16 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A striking still dark magenta color with little bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of sweet red/blue fruit, smoked meat, floral, worn leather, nutmeg, wet forest floor. Taste: velvety, smooth, elegant, savory mature wine with dried cherries, cocoa, leather, scorched earth, and a minerally mocha long lingering finish. YUM!! — a month ago

with Brenda

GaryWEdwards

9.4

Silky cherry with tannins nicely integrated . Showing well. Finally! — 11 days ago

Jonathan Warren

9.6

Unreal. Still so young but drinking beautiful. — a month ago

Tom Nguyen

9.1

Beautiful fruit and structure. Opened up pretty quickly. Brought this bottle back from trip to France a couple years ago. — a month ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Love this wine and producer. Maybe a little too far a long for its age but still so enjoyable. Good value, quality wine. Paired with beef wellington — 2 months ago