Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 6 years ago

UGAWineDawg

9.6

What can I say - dark fruits, incredible finish and smooth tannins - 2 hour decant made this one a special occasion masterpiece- nice example of Austin Peterson’s work there at Ovid - if you can find this one grab it and enjoy - 10/28/17 — 8 years ago

Rowan Gillespie

9.0

Strawberry jam. — 9 years ago

Lauri Ashmore

9.0

With Austin & Antoinette in Chicago — 9 years ago

Rorie Jones

9.2

Nice nose and big , well balanced. Not too peppery. — 10 years ago

Jenny Steward

8.9

Love this winery. Easy drinking red. — 11 years ago

Joseph Rendon

8.9

Slight salinity with a nose of honey suckle. Features gentle minerality and low acidity with flavors accentuated by raw seafood. Enjoy with oysters, salmon roe, salty cheeses, stone fruit. Purchased in restaurant for $39. Great buy. Shout out: "Foreign and Domestic" in Austin, Tx. — 11 years ago

Rob Boschen

9.0

Tasty and full. Good blend. — 12 years ago

Joyce Brooks

9.5

Dependable good taste! $13 H-E-B — 6 years ago

Katie Journeay

9.0

Austin wine merchant- case — 7 years ago

Laueen Anronino

9.6

Love this wine. Had with snapper device type dish at lenoir restaurant in austin. Crisp. Pear flavor. Light but not too light. Tom said this is a really food wine. 13 per glass 52 per bottle — 8 years ago

Samantha Potter

9.2

I prefer this to the blood orange flavor, for sure. Pineapple is a quirky flavor for a #cider, but I would have another...🍍 — 8 years ago

with Julia and Maria

Shawn R

9.2

Delayed getting out of Austin toThe Keys and found this bottle at Vino Volo. Thanks @Jim Trobaugh @Mike R for the review which prompted me to buy! — 8 years ago

O.j. Gilder

9.3

2013 vintage was smooth and fruity. Very easy to drink — 9 years ago

William Douglas

9.5

3/6.5/9.5 = 19 out of 100 = 95
Impressive - aging very well
Strong flavours - good linger — 9 years ago

Rob Taylor

9.6

A beautiful balanced Cab, perfectly timed for drinking.
2006 — 10 years ago

Remi Barrett

8.9

Bottle time with the bachelorettes at Whole Foods Austin. Lol — 11 years ago

Greg Giere

9.1

As the French say, "Le Git." — 12 years ago

with Sam

Jannae Lizza

Sommelier/Wine Director Passionfish Restaurant

9.4

Spicy peach nectar?! — 13 years ago

Kazuhiro Kiyokawa

9.3

ソムリエのお土産。
このベーリーAはとても良い！
らしさがとても出ている。いちごの華やかさがピカイチ。常に家に置いておきたい一品^ ^ — 7 years ago

James Elliott

8.9

Two weeks ago in Austin 🥂 — 8 years ago

with Christian, Adam and 1 other

Kurt Schuster

9.4

Smelled of deep, rich herbal earth. Like a warm summer afternoon hiking in the foothills of Appalachia. The taste was so starkly different to be unrecognizable. Butter, like a steak basted in butter. Fruit was an afterthought, but the entire thing was still big and bold and tricks your senses. Like dating a red headed girl. — 8 years ago

Samantha Potter

8.9

Not bad. Flat, as far as carbonation is concerned. Nice flavor, but quite a bit of added sugar that I could do without. Interested to try their other #cider flavors. — 8 years ago

Katie Journeay

9.1

Austin wine merchant — 9 years ago

Katie Journeay

9.2

Austin wine merchant — 9 years ago

Tati Perrin

10

An experience. Amazing. — 9 years ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.2

V12. Nice alternative white. Slight peach and apricot bouquet. Stone fruit and baking spice fruit with a creamy, honey kissed finish. Slightly crisp. — 10 years ago

Craig Benner

9.0

Gotta love the goods. — 11 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.0

Clean, crisp and balanced extra pale ale. #drinklocal — 11 years ago

Shawn Grogan

9.5

Had at 13 Even with Sarah. Loved it and took bottle home — 12 years ago