Light to mid Ruby in colour. Red and dark fruit florals like Plums also rose petals and sous bois like compost heap. Palate is quite stolid and deep - needs more time to add complexity. A natural acidity still present ( Phillip Jones always bangs on about natural acidity and would never add acid). After an hour or so in the decanter and vigorous swirling you could smell this wine for days. I believe HH’s drinking window of 2016 to 2021 is conservative and should leave my last one for a couple of years to at least 2022. — 4 years ago
Sweet and bubbly and tastes like strawberries. — 4 years ago
This reminds me of taking a picture that’s very special in the moment and later reviewing it to find that is just a touch out of focus… You still see everything but it’s just not as clear and sharp as you would like it. There were moments when this felt like a 90 point wine and then there were moments when it dipped Dash I think the winemaking is in a very good place, perhaps this is needed just a little more time on the vine or a little less intervention in the cellar. Was completely serviceable and yummy with house burgers, but just was a little disjointed to be in the elite level of mid-Atlantic PVs. Perhaps it just lacked that complex cities and voluptuousness that’s possible with this highly aromatic and texture of wine. I would like to taste their 15, which was a really good vintage in North Carolina. This particular offering spent 28 months in peril, which is a really long time to find itself - The terroir is promising :) — 5 years ago
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. 😂🤥 — 6 months ago
Sooo fruity and good and delicious 🍎🍐 — 5 years ago
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 , — 10 months ago
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. — 4 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Lovely stupid.
Elegant that is elegant. So soft with cooked savory notes. Blackberries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries, dark cherries, plum, savory herbs, moist volcanic clay, some tarry notes, black licorice, mid berry cola, dark chocolate bar, salted caramel, nut skin, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, bright florals in a bouquet, excellent acidity with extremely well knitted, perfect structure, balance for days and smartly polished with a two-minute finish. — 2 months ago