Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2016 vintage. Jérémy Chasseuil is working miracles here. Needs a bit of air, but after half an hour in the decanter it really started to shine. Intense perfume of raspberries, blueberries, violets, rosemary and a hint of truffles lurking in the background. Concentrated, with layers of red and black fruit and subtle spices. Velvety tannins and hardly noticeable oak. Very long too. Still very much under the radar, a great chance to buy a high end Pomerol for less than a 100 euro. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The very definition of velvet wrapped in an iron fist. It is singing on my palate.

This Dry Creek is better than the Select Terraces I’ve opened lately. Deep, black, ripe, ruby, currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, blue hues, dark cherries, crazy, deep, Indian spices, dark berry cola, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, malt balls, fresh tobacco, used leather, tree bark w/ sap, steeped fruit tea, limestone, crushed risks, river stone, forest floor with dry leaves, dry herbaceous notes, endless rainbow of florals, beautiful acidity and well balanced, structure and tension that is tightly knit with finish for days.

Crazy, stupid, producer that continues to fly well below the radar. I am thankful it does.

This 2010 has 10 years plus of life left ahead. The best Ca Cabernet I’ve had in many years. Wine affects me differently than most but this wine is like a full body massage. Maybe, that is why I discovered my palate. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

1989. Somehow this estate remains a bit under the radar, but the wines are very reliable and age beautifully. Amarena cherries, rose petals, cedar and a hint of trufle. Velvety mouthfeel with elegance and depth and a long finish. Excellent. — 3 years ago

Darren Dittrich

9.1

From the lower part of the Lazzarito, a traditionally-produced Barolo from an under-the-radar winemaker. The ‘14 could appreciate 5-10 more years in bottle, but I’m impatient. Big leather and anise, with some herbal notes.... almost a “meaty” wine, but the florals come to dominate after some air. Should be perfect with your rich N. Italia foods. Looking forward to visiting this winery on our next Piemonte trip. — 4 years 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. — 3 months ago

Greg Koslosky

9.6

A great vintage for comtes kind of flies under the radar . 2004 is a great Chardonnay vintage for Champagne . Golden delicious apples , brioche , liquid minerals . Lovely depth and balance on the palate with some secondary nuances starting to develop. A gorgeous comtes to drink over the next decade or two. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Just makes 92.

The texture is oily, gorgeous & luscious. Cream, lemon, lime, green apple, white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, lanolin, river stone, flinty notes, grey volcanics, sea fossils, yellow lilies, seems to show a little more used oak, excellent acidity and smartly polished.

Still surprised how Lamy generally continues to fly under the radar for the most part. — 4 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Freshly cut herbs like sage and rosemary with cedar , plum and dark cherry , liquorice . On the palate quite dense but with fresh acidity and firm slightly dry tannins . More of the plum and dark spiced cherry , blackberry, herbal and liquorice touches on the reasonable length finish . Drinking well now though will continue to show well over the next 5 years . Slightly under the radar with good personality and surprising freshness . — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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. 😂🤥 — 2 years ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

Enjoyable fruit, soft tannins. Easy drinking plush style. — 3 years ago