Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

That Krug at lunch today was good but, it’s Friday and I need some Rosé Champagne.

Nose is showing a lot of blood orange, tangerine, slightly baked strawberries, cherries, lean watermelon near the rind, rhubarb reduction, yellow peach, black cherries, some blackberries, oyster shell, sea fossils, saline, grey volcanics, dry yeast, grainy chalk, bread dough, baguette crust with fresh pink & red rose petals.

The palate shows deeper, richer, riper & juicy; black cherries, blackberries, blood orange, tangerine, slightly baked strawberries, cherries, lean watermelon near the rind, rhubarb reduction, yellow peach, oyster shell, sea fossils, saline, grey volcanics, hints of white spice with just a shade of heat, touch of fresh Provenance herbs, dry yeast, grainy chalk, bread dough, baguette crust with fresh pink & red rose petals. The acidity is fresh, round & lively. The long, well balanced & nicely polished finish lingers nicely with volcanic minerals & white spice on the long set.

Photos of; Champagne House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves and one of their rolling Grand Cru Vineyards. — 5 years ago

Spencer Dodd

9.2

Stunning. Sour cherry notes and sassafras through the roof. Highly recommended at this age — 5 years ago

with Daniel, Jen and 1 other

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

Gayla Underkoffler

9.1

What can’t be great about a rustic tannic sagrantino while sitting outdoors in the shade under fans and it’s your last day of work. — 7 years ago

with Steve

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, green apple, pineapple, lemon, lime, just underripe green melon, peach, notes of honey, hints of flint and yellow florals. The body is full, creamy & a touch oily. I'm guessing some extra time on less with some stirring. Green & golden apple, lime, lemon, pineapple, green melon & peach. Honey heathered, fine chalkiness and powdery fine minerals, beautiful round acidity with a long, thick, beautiful, elegant, polished finish. The more it warms up in the glass, the better it gets. Oliver their Winemaker, made Meo Camuzet before coming back to take reins at Hubert Lamy. This terroir is one of the most underrated in Burgundy and remains one of Burgundies best values. Photos of; the Domaine, the En Remilly and the father and son team of Hubert & Oliver. This may be $82 on Delectable but it's just a shade above $50 on pre-arrival. — 8 years ago

Berg

9.4

This is a great bottle of Burgundy, and shows the winemaking strength I think. Black cherry, unripe tart strawberry, cloves, sassafras, plenty of sous bois funk already, but in balance. I think this will be a glorious, funky example of hallmark Burgundy in 20 years! — 8 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.0

Sour cherry, violets, mushroom, slight wood toast, fruit roll up, fresh flowers, crushed rocks, sassafras and amazing acidity. Drinking way above Bourgogne. — 5 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Sassafras, green vine. Aged well and easily. Baked clay, stewed cherry. Burgundian comfort. — 5 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.0

Stemmy, rustic, bright strawberry and cherry fruit, little sassafras and cola, with great acid. Deter does it again :) Pork chop and salmon night. Yum! — 5 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

9.6

Wow! This was drinking splendidly at nearly 10. Layers of dark red fruit like cassis and ripe blackberry on laters of sweet herbs like sassafras on enough acidity to keep things lively. — 6 years ago

Jesse Pender

Assistant Winemaker Delicato Family Vineyards

9.0

Really enjoyed this wine. Best Merlot I have had in a while. — 7 years ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.4

The nose is roasted meats, Dark Cherry and sassafras. Plush & round. The tannins are very refined. — 7 years ago

Chris Wurth

9.4

I love this wine. The taste is very unique and quite enjoyable. Taste like a mosquito. I just wish I could find more of it. Will definitely buy again. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nose of lightly; sweet, tart and sour ripe elegant fruits of; blackberries blueberries, pouched black plum, black raspberries, cherries, strawberries, faint rich moist, black soil, light; clove, cinnamon and vanilla and bright, fresh, fragment red florals. The fruits match the nose and are ruby ripe with a shade of candied characteristics. A little more pronounced moist rich dark earth than on the nose, vanilla, light clove, gentle, soft crushed dry rock powder, fresh dark, gently perfumed red & dark fresh florals. The mouthfeel is big, rich & lush. The balance of earth and fruit is like a fine Burgundian. The length is long as is the rich finish and the acidity is perfect. Beautiful fresh wine. @ Wakatipu Grill, Central Otago — 8 years ago

Dasha

9.3

Delicate but not dainty, pretty, sexy with musky undertones. Perfumed. Black cherry, red currants, dried orange potpourri, clove, sassafras (in the alcohol), fruit leather, thyme. Barbaresco-esque, loads of dried florals and potpourri, high acid but not with the young Nebb astringency. Shroom and sous bois comes with last pour of course. Enjoyed with a 30-day aged ribeye and side of: chanterelle, shiitake mushrooms. Not your typical Suckling Brunello. — 5 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Tonight I have opened the 2012 Evening Land Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir. It has been five years since the last time I had this wine, so here goes.

On the nose there is strawberry, cherry, raspberry, clove, rhubarb, vanilla, black olive, rose petals, light oak and earth.

On the palate there is strawberry, tart cherry, raspberry, sassafras, clove, vanilla, mushroom, rose petals, rhubarb and earth.

This wine is medium bodied and is as fresh today as it was when I had it five years ago. It has medium to medium + acidity and medium fine tannins that lead seamlessly into a medium to long tart fruit finish. Still a wonderful wine and I don't see this slowing down any. I have a few more in my wine room and I look forward to trying this again a few years from now. I hope everyone is still doing well? Now that they are starting to relax on the stay home policies please stay healthy and stay safe. Nostrovia! Q🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an insiders wine. You have study, focus and taste a lot wine to know how special this wine can drink. Especially, at its QPR.

There are a lot of people that covet SQN, Caycuse, Horsepower and No Girls. For my palate, these wines either burn the palate with ABV or choke off the fruit with way too much bacon fat and or deeply marinaded grilled meats. Yes, you are drinking expensive, flashy producers but, I would humbly disagree they are better wines than this 2011 Le Clos Du Caillou Vielles Vignes Cuvée Unique. Those other wines should aspire to be everything this 2011 shows and delivers.

This Le Clos Du Caillou has the balance the above wines lack and at a fraction of the price point. I would drink this 2011 over any of the other fore mentioned wines. While this Le Clos Du Caillou is a shade hot, it is not nearly as hot as SQN etc.. Hot ABV alcohol that burns the palate & back of the throat will forever be a fatal flaw in a wine.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, black, dry earth, savory, grilled meats, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals.

The body is rich and mid full. Tannins just 50% resolved with round, dark tarry teethiness. The structure, tension, length and balance are harmonious...just before their peak. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, raspberries that haut the center palate on the long set, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, dry black earth, dry stone wrapped in moist clay, savory, grilled meats, some bacon fat, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, Mix of caramel & mocha powder, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals. The acidity is phenomenal. The long, ripe, well balanced & textured, elegant finish is memorable and is persistent for several minutes.

Wine paired perfectly with our marinated Tri-tip.

If you are over paying for the above lesser wines mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to seek out and cellar this wine appropriately.

Photos of; Le Clos Du. Caillou, their barrel room, Owners-Sylvie Vacheron & Bruno Gaspard and one of their vineyards. It’s amazing they can grow anything in that stone soil structure.
— 6 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

Medium weight. Mineral. Cherries. Nicely reserved, understated. Sassafras. — 8 years ago

with William

Todd Abrams

9.3

Somewhere between red and rosé. A gorgeous shade of candy crimson and an ideal drink for warm spring days. Poundable juicy red berries with notes of baking spice and a pleasant grip on the finish. Party wine. — 8 years ago

with Evan

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.4

Sassafras, smoky oak. Takes a lot of time to open up in the glass. Brightness emerges. Integrated. Advocates patience. — 8 years ago

with William