Daniel M

9.2

What a wine! The nose is so complex with blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherries, tar, oak, mushrooms, autumn damp forest soil, tobacco, cigar box... this is great. The palate is superb! Big, broad and long, with some width, some matter on the sides, some nice black and red berries all along, a touch of oak, a silky mouthfeel that rolls on the tongue, integrated tannins that caress and hug in the rear, and a very long finish with the same berries, a subtle drying layer, some oaky touches, a savoury note and eventually some bitterness that pops up in the very end. This is 16 year-old and kicking. This is grand !
I should add that I had a glass of this using my coravin a few months back and the wine wasn't showing as well as it does now. — 23 days ago

Daniel M

9.0

Date night with my wife in my childhood's home back home without any kid or pet in sight. We are working remotely this week from Toulouse, but this definitely feels like an extension of our summer holidays 😁.
The nose is very merlot-forward with notes of cherry, leather, earthy, clay touches, cedar, beef stew and almond powder. The palate is big, bright and broad, with a nice strawberry and earthy notes that carries on all along a strong acid drive, there is width, there is matter, it's rather muscular but you peep the 15% abv on the (barely readeable) back label you start to understand why! Tannins kick in the rear but they are not harsh, they caress and come across as a gentle hug around a very nice, meaty, juicy finish that goes on for a while. Cherry and earthy notes carry on and that savoury touch comes around to crown a very nicely made right bank effort. Kudos to the winemaker, this is punching way above its 10 euro retail price category and I have had many a saint emilion in my time that would be pale in comparison. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Great fill, foil and label. Perfect cork. From a top-notch cellar. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Volcanic ash-styled sed vs chunky-style. Big funk on the nose that resolved after 7-8 minutes. Wine was showing decently (in the 69-72 degree range) but lacking any tannic structure. Placed the decanter atop an ice bucket bath to drop the temp down to 60 degrees or so. Took about 20 minutes but the tannins kicked in the door to say hello. Fruit components stayed constant. Pauillac tendencies were all there. As is the case often with older BDX, the decaying matter/leaves at the onset transitioned to graphite/lead pencil and espresso flavors. This was a superior bottle in great shape. Top of this wine’s specific bell curve. Comparable bottles would look to be drinking this well for the next 5-7 years without dropoff. Out of larger format…could possibly push this into 9.4 status. 2.5.24. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Light Ruby in colour. A gorgeous nose of dusty red and black cherry with Five spice, decayed plant matter, sous Bois. I could sniff this for hours. Tastes way more youthful than 12 years with a solid core of red and black fruits which is gradually releasing - finishing with silky tannins. A few hours later that earthy red fruited perfume just keeps on giving. Only 2 barrels made, so, about 40 dozen. — 5 years ago

John Asbury

9.6

Wet stone over honeysuckle flowers and crisp apples make for a nose that really bloomed on the second day. As a matter of fact, with this type of Old-world French appellation, taking 24 hours to fully open is not unusual. This value-conscious Chablis boasted depth and clarity of flavor you’d expect in wines with twice the price tag. We paired it with grilled eggplant and roasted chicken casserole. It was delicious! — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

This is the third time that I’ve had the pleasure of drinking the 2005 Caravina over the last year and it continues to be a stunner. It pours a dark garnet with no color variation however, this bottle was throwing an enormous amount of sediment. The bouquet is powerful with a lovely mix of dark fruits; currants and plums with sweet pipe tobacco, leather, and mushrooms. The palate is decadent with a very forward attack and layer upon layer of fruits, baking spices and earthier secondary characteristics. Finish is dry, long and super satisfying. Impeccable balance. Would be a deft pairing for most hearty meals but a winner on its own. I have to believe these are drinking at or near peak but if this bottle (and the previous two for that matter) is representative, that peak may last for many years to come. Hard to believe this isn’t their Grand Vin. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

One of the best Pinots I’ve had from anywhere this year. Also I should state the only note I’ve been able to put on Delectable out of 4 attempts. The previous 3 have disappeared. Light in colour and a beautifully fragrant wine with Medium + intensity. 98 points from Huon Hooke and he made this comment, “A mesmerising wine - surely one of Bindi’s best ever “. I can only agree. This is a top quality Pinot Noir no matter the origin and will probably reach the end of HH’s drinking window of 2034. This Is easily of Premier Cru and in some cases Grand Cru standard. — 3 months ago

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. — a year ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.1

A very well made and balanced wine with extreme clarity of raspberry. The problem is 16%(!!!) alcohol. I think no matter how well you make wine trying to keep that in check will be difficult. There were some sore heads this morning 🥳 — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

The nose is made of lemon, crushed rocks, chalk and there is little touch of juicy pear that pops up after a while and when the wine is warming up slightly. We could add a tiny touch of vanilla from the barrel but it's very discreet. Lovely. This is everything I'm expecting from a 1er cru chablis. The palate is made of a massive acid backbone, almost overwhelming! There is matter to balance it but it's trodding on a very thin edge. Notes of chalk and lemon, and lemon peel are showing all around the way making for a super dynamic, vivid mouthfeel. The finish lasts for ever with this lemony and chalky notes but that vanilla touch that appeared in the rear on the nose makes a discreet comeback in the end and on the sides and that almost reminds me of white burgundies from way down south around meursault and puligny. Awesome, intellectual wine that delivers! — 5 years ago

Wolfgang Kaemmerer

9.2

Excellent every day Riesling. It combines fruit, acid and minerality in an ideal matter. Very good value for the money. — 5 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.6

This was absolutely fantastic. Every once in a while, Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel cull away a few barrels of something for these Special Bottlings. Bought this at the winery a number of years ago, and it is awesome. A totally underrated winery in my opinion, I’d put this version of grenache up against pretty much anything coming out of CA (or southern Rhone, for that matter). Adam used to get criticized years ago because he left his grapes on the vine “too long”, and now he gets grief for picking too early. I think he does it just right. His wines have terrific fruit and great acidity that are perfectly in balance yet provide for fantastic aging potential. Great stuff, with an even better QPR. If you can get your hands on this specific wine, though, do yourself a favor and snag it! — 5 years ago

with Vanessa

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 6 months ago

Daniel M

9.1

First wine of 2025. Served along pork Filet Mignon. No notes as we are enjoying our first 2025 meal with my family. A bit of age on it. A new, fun label that represents the owners' family quite well (a group of artists). Violet, blackberry and pepper. Great width, great matter, long finish, nice caressing tannins. Happy new year ! — a year ago

Ericsson

9.0

Revisiting this disruptive wine as I often do. This time 24 years after it’s initial release, and much has changed since since it’s inception. The wine is still exciting, maybe for the wrong reasons, maybe for the right reasons but exciting nonetheless. It’s still a big and bold beast of a wine, no matter the vintage. — 2 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Tasted too young and not airy enough. Nevertheless: exuberant nose, big matter in the mouth, omnipresent tannins, alcohol present, sweetness, acidity, aromatic bouquets, everything is marked! The breeding is already relatively melted. A wine carved for the guard. To forget a few years in the cellar. Very nice product!

Bu trop jeune et pas assez aéré. Néanmoins: nez exubérant, grosse matière en bouche, tanins omniprésents, alcool présent, sucrosité, acidité, bouquets aromatiques, le tout est marqué! L’élevage est déjà relativement fondu. Un vin taillé pour la garde. À oublier quelques années en cave. Très beau produit! — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

After some 2300 km in the trunk of my car, this is now served (after a much deserved 3 weeks rest in my cellar) at cellar temperature (about 16°C). I'm of course biased but man, this is good for the €€€.

The nose is violet, red forest fruits and that irony thing which might well be a terroir thing (the soil they grew their vines upon are reddish which tells me they could well be full of iron). The palate is well balanced, with a good acid backbone but some matter too and I see some evolution in the way this wine is made as earlier vintages were much thiner and acid driven and here there's acid, yes, but there is sufficient matter and a very nice mouthfeel, and fruit all along to balance it perfectly. Some lively tannins, kicking things up a notch and a rather long finish with fruits, that irony thing and a bit of bitterness which is very much a varietal thing. I love it, but I'm biased 🙃. — 5 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

Two hour decant for this 2016. Big ripe fruit up front-blueberry, blackberry, black raspberry, plum. Baking spices. Tannins smooth but strong. Structured well. Nice long finish. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I do like this Polish immigrant’s craft.

The blend of fruits are a broad spectrum of, sour, candied and floral, ruby, mid & dark, red fruits, dark, smooth spice, cinnamon stick, floral heaven & flat out elegance. The blue fruits in Paul’s wines are incredible.

Photos of, two of his Southern California vineyards, Paul Lato at a Matter of Taste during our 40 minute chat & their concrete fermentation eggs. — 6 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

Once again I indulge in this pretty sin... Cherry, almond, Raisin, pencil lead, maybe chocolate too? The palate is tremendous : it goes in every direction with a huge acid backbone, a superlative width, a dense and silky matter with a soft touch on the sides, a bright fruit which shows off all along, a bit of drying tannins that kick off a fantastic finish with fruit, a bit of bitterness, some raisins and a indisputable length. Man I love this one. This is bohemian rhapsody by Queen — 6 years ago