Jessica Irving

9.1

Smooth, very nice bottle. — 11 hours ago

Paul K

9.3

I know, I’m here too early, but I bought 3 cases for a steal. I’m excited to see the evolution over next 25 years and I can have more than a bottle a year so no scolding required! 😉 looking forward to the education. Makes you think though. I’m about done buying Bordeaux futures. Too long to wait, store, and 20-25 years is starting to look blurry in the telescope. Now it’s on to auctions and buying wines that are ready. — a month ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

From magnum.

Positive evolution after 2 hrs of aeration!
Up a notch. — 3 years ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Lovely older Bordeaux, red fruits, soft, mostly resolved tannins, long finish, this is really a great bottle, and nicely refined at this point of its evolution. — 4 years ago

with Jim

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Brane-Cantenac 2023 – Margaux, Grand Cru Classé, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A highly aromatic and deeply concentrated Margaux showing impressive layering, polished texture, and outstanding fruit density, with oak integration still prominent in its youth. Built for complexity and long-term evolution.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, wild blueberry, cassis, black cherry liqueur, violet petal, sweet cedar, cocoa powder, graphite, subtle vanilla and toasted spice from new oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with silky, refined tannins, dense mid-palate concentration, seamless flow across the palate, and a long, plush finish. Oak remains slightly forward at this stage but clearly destined to integrate.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, rosemary lamb, duck confit, porcini risotto, aged Gruyère or Comté.

Verdict
A seductive, high-concentration Margaux with real depth and aromatic brilliance. Oak currently rides slightly high, but the underlying fruit density and texture suggest excellent aging potential and future harmony.

🍷 Personal Pick
The perfume is intoxicating and the fruit core is massive, this just needs time for the oak to melt into the frame. Big upside once the pieces lock together. — 23 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The US is now their #1 export market. You would be surprised at what some producers spend on labels. It is more than you think. All those countries, languages and different requirements for what needs to be written on them.

I think this is in a dumb faze or just closed down.

The nose is muted and not all that revealing. Soft blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with powdery raspberries. Clayish soils, some clove, dark earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood and dark withering flowers.

The palate is a little flat..showing stubbornness. Ripe but dullish; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries & raspberries. Dry clayish soils, dry top soil, limestone minerals, dark spice, clove, dark, rich earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood that falls into cedar, soft tobacco with dark withering flowers and violets, its acidity is very good, the finish while balanced, polished, somewhat elegant, lacks some complexity today and lasts a minute.

I would reserve a full assessment of this one tasting it again in 5+ years. It is in need of further evolution. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted 7 hours and then poured back into the bottle before service, 4 hours later. No formal notes. The 2019 “Caravina” is showing classic notes of black currants, tobacco, and baking spices with a gentle touch of vanilla. The finish is dry with significant structure. Already lovely with extended exposure to air, I’m looking forward to following the evolution of this wine for the next 10-15+ years. This remains one of Napa’s best values. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy New Year! 🍷

Velvet, evolution Cabernet!

— a month ago

Robert Torretti

9.3

1990 Chateau Lynch Bages in Nebuchadnezzar. At a Lynch Bages dinner for the Commanderie de Bordeaux NY Chapter. Paired over the course of three courses vs the 1995, 1996 and 2000. The 1998 was also served earlier in the evening. So youthful, given the large format. Still got to experience different stages of evolution of the wine as it was poured throughout the night. Well balanced and beat out the other wines that night, with rhe 1996 showing more pepper and spice but also green bell pepper from the Cab Franc. The 2000 also showed strongly, but could not outshine the 1990. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

For those of you that don’t know Jones Family, you should. This 10 is so different from their 09. The 10 is wine candy and the 09 is a bit more rugged & structured. Not that the 09 is rugged. Just a relative comparison.

The nose is candied, floral, perfumed, lush & ruby, slightly bramble fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, raspberries, poached strawberries, ripe, baked rhubarb, sweet tarriness, anise, dark, heavy, beautiful spices, dark, fruit cola, dry crushed rocks, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, hint of mint, dark, rich, moist earth, fresh herbaceous notes, dark chocolate with caramel cake with ruby, candied, dark, purple, and blue florals framed in violets.

The palate & mouthfeel is full, lush, ruby & glorious. Candied, lush, ripe, ruby, slightly brambly fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, raspberries, poached strawberries, boysenberries, ripe, baked rhubarb, sweet tarriness, anise, dark, heavy, beautiful spices, dark, fruit cola, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, used leather, wood shavings, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, hint of mint, dark, rich, moist earth, fresh herbaceous notes, dark chocolate with caramel cake with ruby, candied, dark, purple, lavender and blue florals framed in violets for days. The acidly is about the best I’ve had in a Napa Cabernet. The finish is extremely well balanced & structured. It goes from ripe, ruby, lush fruits that falls gently on to well softened earthiness that lasts minutes. This is an outstanding wine. Perfectly soft, well integrated with amazing evolution. Still has another 5-8 plus years but its approaching its precipice. Beautiful, beautiful Napa Cabernet.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of the Jones Family and their property. Their glorious fruit at harvest. Jones Family Vineyards was founded by Rick and Sally Jones. Unfortunately, Sally passed away in 2005. — 3 years ago