Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Happy New Year! 🍷

This was Missouri Hopper before they put it on the label.

Missouri is a vineyard that is an earthy mineral buffet. This bottle is as well a dry herb assortment. Excellent dark, ripe fruits.

While the 16 is very good, the 18 is a forget about bottle that will continue to improve for many years.

I follow Winemaker’s and this one is Helen Keplinger! Enough said.

97-98 in another 5-8 years. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Just a great btl, good energy, fresh showing rich lemon, citrus, pear fruit with saline, floral, wet stone & white flower — a year ago

Stuart Pollack

9.0

Lovely Pinot Noir under $35. At the end of its life, but still good. I’m sure it lost something because of its age but still a correct Pinot Noir in a classic Willamette elegant style. Solid cherry flavor but elegant and not fruity. — a year 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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When things are great, they’re worth redoing!

The Wagyu Ribcap & Rib Cover steaks comparison from Allen Brothers. The sell only the top 1% of beef.

The Barton is 100% steak wine.

Classic Caret even in a marginal vintage...Anthony to the rescue.

The body is medium to full & sails on the palate. Ripe & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, uncooked rhubarb with hue of raspberries. Cedar, sandstone/limestone, tobacco, leather, graphite, dry river stones, dark, rich, earth, licorice, dark cola, dark spice with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, moist clay, melted caramel & mocha, dark chocolate bar, black pepper with bright, candied, fresh, dark, red, purple & blue florals. the acidity is a gentle, cool to warm rain shower. The finish is, all St. Julien elegance, well intergraded, balanced, landing on earth & spice that is persistent for days. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

We had the 2000 with the Allen Brothers Ribcap’s. Might have been the most tender cut of meat we had. Even more tender than their Bone-in Fillets. Allen Brothers is currently selling to consumers during Covid-19 as most restaurants are shut or barely open. Order online before the go back to restaurant only sales. You’ll be glad you did. You can see on their site what revered steakhouses they sell their beef etc. Cooked them in the Green Egg. 👌

Perhaps the first 2000 that I’ve opened that was truly ready. Yet, it will improve for another 5-7 years and hold for another 5-10 years properly stored.

The tannins were round and supple...like velvet. Good balance fruit & earth. The structure, tension, length and balance just hit a good stride. Dark, rich, but, muted fruits, dark chocolate, mocha powder, touch of caramel, nicely layer baking spices, dark rich earth, clay, stone, fresh, soft tobacco notes, saddle-wood, soft graphite notes with fresh & withering dark flowers. The acidity nice & round...definitely shows the strength of the vintage. The finish, well balanced-knitted, plush, velvety, flat out elegant & smooth.

Photos of, Chateau Belle-Vue, living area shot of inside the Chateau, perfect fruit ready for harvest and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

There’s a bitter savoriness to this that makes it a really excellent food wine. Better on day two. — 6 months ago

Tom Elliot

Founder Northwest Wines

9.4

45-year-old Napa Cabernet. The good old days. Great nose with cedar, fine leather, roast beef, iodine, and iron continue on the palate. Fully resolved tannins in the long, complex, gratifying finish. I wish I had a few more bottles. — 7 months ago

Wayne Stargardt

9.4

Luscious and smooth. Sweet cherry nose. Plums, bing cherries, currants on the palette that lingers through the finish. No tannic or oaky bite. — 3 years ago

with Laura Jean and Deb

Michael Chelus

9.1

Pear, lemon curd, Granny Smith apple, peach and slate. Great acidity and balance. — 3 years ago

Steve S

9.0

Nice with tapas. Allen street — 5 years ago

Cara B

9.6

Top Pinot noir - WOW and it has my name on it so it gets an extra .2 points for that ♥️ — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Words “Anam Cara” are Celtic for “friend of my soul.” Nick and Sheila have made wines since planting grapes in 2001. Pale lemon with aromatic aromas of ripe tropical, stone & citrus fruits. On the palate tart apple and melon flavors, with a crisp citrus tang. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity with rich ending. Drinking well now. Nice value. — 6 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

Needs an hour of air then it’s lean and clean. 13.3%. Pear, apple , citrus, some herbs. No wonky oak or butter. Very nice. Would never guess RRV. Pair with wild mushrooms and polenta. — 7 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on October 25, 2025 with Tom and Kathy at their house]

Raspberry and dark cherry fruit, with black tea and mineral notes. Beautiful wine with nice acidity. — 8 months ago

Jessica Cansler

9.0

Not the right wine in app but delightful label! Light, dry, and floral. Had in Stonington — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Perfect with the Allen Brother Cover Ribs.

Soft floral fruits with excellent evolution and integration of earth. Classic Bordeaux with perfect lead pencil shavings etc.. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.2

Needed a big gun to tame this dry aged beast from Allen Brothers. — 4 years ago

Eric

9.4

My last -05 went with an Allen Brothers dry aged bone in roast. Incredible wine with plenty of road ahead. Bright rusty red fruit. The roast was amazing and blew more funk than any meat I’ve ever had. Great pairing. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

If I am having an Allen Brothers Ribcap, I am also opening a good bottle of Bordeaux.

The 08 Bordeaux vintage goes down in the record books as good not great. This is not nearly as good as the 2000 I had a few years back...one of the few 10’s I’ve scored since starting to write notes. However, it does drink better earlier than 2000.

Ten years in bottle was just the right amount of time to check in on this 08. It will continue to improve over the next 5-7 years and hold another 8-10 years with proper storage.

With the first sip, it was elegant, refined and showing it is Latour’s close relative. My next thought was how good it will be with the Ribcap. Good on its own but, even better with steak.

It shows classic Bordeaux style. Just ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, hints of blue & purple fruit. The tannins nicely round and velvety. The structure, tension, length & balance are just starting to hit their groove. Black licorice, black tea, stones, dry loamy topsoil, dark rich earth, less pencil shaving, soft leather, understated baking spices with withering; dark, red and blue florals. The acidity was nicely executed. The finish is; stunning, elegant and very well balanced with excellent persistence.

Photos of; Chateau Latour, iconic building that since in the middle of their Estate vines, barrel room and wide shot of their estate.

Side note. Having visited Latour three times, it has always been the most clean & pristine winemaking facilities I’ve seen in my many world wine region travels. You could eat off the floor. For me, they are the “King of Kings” in Cabernet. — 6 years ago