1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A marvelous murky dark purplish garnet color. On the nose: stunning aromas of dark fruit, currants, herbaceous, worn leather, peppery jerky, rich soil. Taste: velvety, rich, structured, leaning savory wine with dark plum/cherry, chocolate, gravel, smokey earth, spice and a long graphite/leather finish. YUM! Napa cab kickin it at age 16 with time to go. — 2 months ago
Excellent. Fitting tribute to what may be our last dinner at CYC. — 8 months ago
Lighter in color than the much older 1969, but much more expressive aromatically, dusty, sandy red-fruited aromas, flavors tend toward red-fruit as well, more of an elegant style of Ramisco, long finish, this seems at peak, or close to it (but I have more bottles, so will check in again within a year). Both of these are amazing at 11% ABV!! — a month ago
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. — 4 months ago
With Sharmila on 08092023 — 9 months ago
Vino Joe
Rich and perfumed. This has a ton of weight and depth. Dark opaque purple in color. Acidity is a bit high but it helps on the length. Early on the drink range but I was too curious. I think this will be even more special in several years to ten years from now. — 16 days ago