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! — 3 years 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
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
Sweet and bubbly and tastes like strawberries. — 4 years 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
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
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I tasted this at cork pull and it looked & tasted a bit brickish. Waited to decant but it still needed a hour in the decanter. 97 a great Napa vintage. Well stored bottle bought from auction.
The fruits are lush, velvety & ruby; blackberries, black plum, plum pudding, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, malt balls on the long decant, black licorice, there is a touch of v/a-bandaid but it’s not spoiling and dissipates some in time, dusty to slightly moist top soil, olive tapenade, herbaceous notes, soft, dark spice, half used, dry tobacco w/ ash, sandalwood, moist, grey volcanic clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, notes of black pepper, candied, liquid, fresh & mostly withering, dark, red, purple flowers, very round acidity and a very well balanced, tensioned, nicely structured and a smartly polished, round finish that lasts two-minutes.
Second wine to pair with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — 5 days ago