Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are.

Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs.

1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97.

The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers.

The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones.

I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic. — 15 days ago

Anthony Auger

9.0

Mint and pear on the nose. Upfront there’s a really interesting impression of cotton candy or bubblegum. Then I get a mild apple cider vinegar and tart pear note. Finishes with a strong lemon oil linger. Aged pretty nicely, only a hint of ferment that I actually kind of linked! — 4 years ago

Robert

10

Sweet and bubbly and tastes like strawberries. — 5 years ago

Andy Thomson

9.0

Before JC. Very pleasant. Light — 3 months ago

with Samantha and Cheryl

Paul J

9.3

Same as previous bottles/notes, but starting to fade. — 2 years ago

with Brooke

Douglas Braun

9.0

This is the 2022 Vintage - out of a 375ml - have a soft spot for this Winery when Brice Jones owned it he had the most amazing Chardonnay symposium with speakers from around the world - Now it’s owned by Brown Forman ( big distributor) Made in the same style lees contact - toasted bread , toasted nuts , honey , butterscotch, medium bodied , med acidity , — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Wonderful earthy perfume of red fruits, rose petals, mushroom, decayed plant matter, sous bois. Aromas that you go back to time and time again - intoxicating. Medium bodied palate with resolved Tannins, M minus acid and M plus length. Really should not have a Bass Phillip Premium under 10 years of age. 2009 was a good year for BP so Phillip Jones said at the time, but they would have had vintages since which equal or slightly better this. One of Australia’s best Pinot Noirs. — 5 years ago

Celeste Player

9.0

Andy hooked us up on this new find. Only a few cases produced so you know the love is in the bottle. Date night with the wifey and this smooth and velvety on the intro with big Napa notes is a winner. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I would invite you to find a bottle like this older & well stored 03, “The Sisters. “I would enjoy tasting this blind w/ Napa Cult wines & lovers. Then, watch their eyes open wide when I pulled off the brown bag. Many would call Colgin, Scarecrow, Harlan, Bond & the like etc.. I recently paid $50 for this 2003 at auction. That includes tax & auction fees. For vintage, they would call 10, 13 or 14. This is still youthful. Beautiful M+ somewhat rounded tannins, fruit buffet w/ dark pronounced spice. This has ten years plus left.

The palate is round, plush, phat fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, purple fruits with blueberries. Dark, well pronounced spice, soft baking spices, sweet graphite, soft, fresh, tobacco notes, used leather warm, gray clay, river-stone, mocha, caramel notes, dry crushed rock, limestone marl, some dry top soil, dark, purple red fresh & withering florals, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, beautifully structured and elegant finish that lasts minutes falling on elegant earth & spice.

TRB made wine. Stunning!!!! — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

This is officially the Bass Phillip Estate Chardonnay but that choice not offered by Delectable. The wine is pale gold in colour. Aromas of leesy solids, cashews and toasty notes. On the palate sweetish, mandarin flesh and white nectarines. Quite developed on the palate with minimal acid and Medium + Intensity. A mouthful of flavour - quite delicious in the richer spectrum. If Phillip Jones makes great Pinot Noir he should be able to make great Chardonnay, and he does. — 5 years ago