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. — 10 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

Soft, supple and voluptuous, the 2012 is a great choice for drinking while some of the more structured vintages rest comfortably in the cellar. Sweet mocha and spice notes wrap around the silky, seamless finish. @Severn Goodwin @Paul T- Huntington Beach — 2 years ago

Jennifer

9.1

@Paul T- Huntington Beach @Ashley Antonio 🏆 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — a year ago

Rob Brobst III

9.9

The finest wine from this Pomerol Chateau in many decades. @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Ron R @Tom Garland @Kimberly Anderson @Stanley Barrios @Jay Eagan @Neal Schaffer Your notes on this one are spot on Mr Galloni! 👍🏽 — 2 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Shout out to @Paul T- Huntington Beach
Great recommendation.
Ty — 3 years ago

Edward Nelson

8.9

Christmas dinner bottle #2. — 2 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.5

This is the most unique and well crafted Bacigalupi I’ve tasted. The color the texture are on point! @Paul T- Huntington @Severn Goodwin @Shay A @Ron R — 2 years ago

Stuart Scheff

9.4

@Paul T- Huntington Beach Paul is correct again. Charles Hendricks kicks ass. This Pinot rocks. — 3 years ago

Betsy Schermer

9.2

@Paul T- Huntington Beach good eye — 4 years ago

with Ray, Erica and 1 other