Valery Webb

9.0

Had at club 27. Really liked. Smooth. Would get again. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Pet Nat/skin contact Blend of Pinot Gris (90%) and Muskateller (10%). Attractive pink/copper color. Aromas and flavors of dried apricots, white figs, dates, orange peel, white pepper and a touch of honeysuckle. Hint of toffee on the finish. Creamy mousse and intensely bubbly. Bone dry with lively acidity. Light and refreshing. Great palate cleanser. Interesting. Solid QPR. — 6 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Wow, this is a gem of N&N offerings. Loads of ripe cassis, blackberries, currants, plum. Slightly earthy. Tannins soft and luscious. Great mouthfeel. In its prime window now. Fantastic! — 10 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.4

Beautifully Salty, sort of pear/ Green apple goodness. On a hot August eve, that funk is quite refreshing.
As Townsend said” Extra, extra, miracle cure”
Wow…The beach. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The follow up to the 03 Leonetti. @Paul T- Huntington Beach & I have been telling readers about older Jones Family Vineyards for some time. If you haven’t had or not tried this producer it will be the last time I try to entice to you to try this producer. Talking about it more will only drive up the prices on the secondary market.

This 09 is damn beautiful after nearly a four hour decant but it is still fairly youthful.

It is ruby, lush, gorgeous, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, dark cherries, plum, hues of purple, blue fruits & raspberries, poached strawberries, black licorice, mixed, dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry top soil, dry herbs, hints of eucalyptus, dry clay, dry tobacco, new leather, spice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, withering red & dark florals framed in violets & lavender, beautiful round acidity, beautiful; balance, tension, structured, smartly polished finished that lasts minutes.

Still needs another 5-8 years to show its best self.

The Jones Family vineyard is located off Bale Lane in Calistoga and was planted to all five Bordeaux varieties by David Abreu in the early 1990s. Heidi Barrett made the wines until 2008, and Thomas Rivers Brown now makes the wines. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The colour of pink copper. Consistent fine bead with aromas of strawberry, honey dew melon, hint of beeswax. 100% Pinot Noir. As Jancis commented “like a Volnay in its perfume and delicacy but as substantial as fine red burgundy “. Could not see the point in further cellaring given how good this is now and already 17 years old, even if the window by JR is to 2027. A combination celebration of wedding anniversary and farewell to the children returning overseas. It’s all happening!! PS The photo shows the back light on turned on with a switch in the punt of the bottle giving a sexy pink glow. Obviously aimed at the dimly lit night club scene where it would definitely enhance sales. — 2 years ago

Ted

9.0

Always wanted to try this. I see it everywhere since I am at the beach it has aromas of seashells that have been in the sun all day. Just reminds me of summer. Suntan lotion. To bad it’s just the start of winter. — 4 months ago

with Jeni

Kelley Raymond

9.3

Really reliable summer beach drinking — 8 months ago

David Nicewicz

9.6

Magical Dom for beach weekend in Phuket. Bottle was a little concerning as the cork came out a bit too easily and no pschttt. However the nose revealed right away that this was going to be special. Almost toffee and brioche notes on both the nose and the palate. Classy, complex with caramel and burned sugar notes, but almost weightless. Will remember this one for a while — 2 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

We must be getting old as my homeboy & I remembered when this was 20$— now it’s north of 79$. First, that incredible, shimmering copper color, as if a siren call to the rewards that await. So many layers that never seem to stop: sherry- like on nose, with high pitched iodine, but deeper & round on the palate. Hints of bergamot, cinnamon bark, oyster mushroom, clove, faded citrus fruit. So so alive. What a treat. Part 2 with slow roasted grapefruit chicken, roasted eggplant with yogurt sauce & the early innings of a another wild Mets win. — 3 years ago

with Owen