Somm 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. 😂🤥 — 3 years ago

Stuart Scheff

9.4

@Paul T- Huntington Beach Paul is correct again. Charles Hendricks kicks ass. This Pinot rocks. — 4 years ago

Jennifer

9.1

@Paul T- Huntington Beach @Ashley Antonio 🏆 — 5 years ago

Betsy Schermer

9.2

@Paul T- Huntington Beach good eye — 6 years ago

with Ray, Erica and 1 other

Rob Brobst III

9.5

@Paul T- Huntington Beach @Jim Trobaugh @Stanley Barrios @Mike Smith @Connor McMahon — 6 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

Mouthwatering, red cherries and bright fruit. Yummy @Neal Schaffer @Warren Sapp @Jim Trobaugh @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Peggy Hadley @Stanley Barrios @Connor McMahon — 7 years ago

Mike R

9.2

Agree @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum - 22 months is better than the 16 month version - still needs time in the bottle to fully develop — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Are you decorated and ready for holiday guests? We are! Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season. ☃️🦌🎄🎁🎅🤶❄️ Cheers! 🥂

This bottle so good tonight almost a 9.4.

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum A shout out & thanks to Paul for finding this on sale and sending it my way so I could stock up. Seeing as Jeff Bezos wouldn’t do the normal Whole Foods Wine sale in mid November. I guess short on cash this Q4? 🤷‍♂️ — 8 years ago

with Christina and James

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 — 4 years ago

Robert B

9.2

Heavier tasting Pinot. Enjoyed very much. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I had a number of 1997’s of this late. A good wine & value in 97’s courtesy of Clyde Beffa. 2005 such a splendid vintage and still youthful.

Decanted around 11:45a today, poured around 8:30p with an Allen Brothers Ribcap and it is simply velvet in the mouth.

Recent spilt auction purchase with @Paul T- Huntington Beach for $35-$36 a bottle…in OWC. From the same Technical Team as Leoville Las Cases. Different terroir but, excellent experience.

Excellent, ripe candied fruit of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, baked strawberries, dark spices, black licorice core, mid & dark colas, river stone, limestone alluvials, dry crushed rocks, dry tobacco, leather, saddle-wood, dark, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some tree sap, tea leaves, soft, round, fresh herbs, dark, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is excellent. The finish has length, balance, polish for days that falls on excellent soft earthiness.

2007 Bordeaux’s are already following suit as the 97’s in a lot of cases…only better. Value vintages in Bordeaux if you go looking. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

I believe this was a one off production for Booker. Jada Vineyard is located near Denner.

I followed this over two days and if I would have guessed blind, there is no way I would have guessed 60% Grenache on either day (although day 2 showed more finesse and lift) as it seems more dominant Syrah. This is high-toned and juicy. Great nose to it. Aromatically, there is licorice, melted dark chocolate, ripe and baked dark fruits, herbs de Provence, and charcoal. It’s already fairly soft and plush on the palate. Bite of tannin and heat toward the mid palate and finish, but it’s certainly not as heavy or dense as you’d expect. Grenache shows up briefly with some pepper and a small reveal of dried red fruits at the core. I think this is in a good drinking window. I believe @Paul T- Huntington Beach helped me get my hands on one of these a while back... — 6 years ago

Clive McNish

9.5

This is really good. Bordeaux style, nose is more restrained than expected but develops over time. Blackcurrant, soil, thyme, aniseed, lavender and a little bloody tang. Violet colouring with some browning noticeable when swirling. Palate is smooth with good fruit, candy, herbs and some spearmint. The wine throws a light sediment. My work is done @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum go ahead and enjoy, I’ll be interested to hear what you think. — 7 years ago

Jake Rubash

9.5

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum ok yeah, this is all that and a bag of chips. Good call! — 8 years 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! 👍🏽 — 4 years 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 — 4 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Shout out to @Paul T- Huntington Beach
Great recommendation.
Ty — 5 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

Wow Wow Wow @Stanley Barrios @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Tom Garland @Luda Palei @Eric L. gold color. Aromas of citrus and green plum, white flowers, complex minerals, and exotic oak spices. Lemon, pear, and tart pineapple fruits on entry, refreshing acidity, and a medium body; Long, citrus zest aftertaste. — 5 years ago

with Tom and Mike

Ryan Vento

9.0

Underwater glamour shot just for you, @Paul T- Huntington Beach

Bought a case of this as our Summer 2020 house white wine. Lovely pool companion 🙌🏻 — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 7 years ago