Jason

9.2

Pretty good. Slight bitter taste in there somewhere but aerate it and that subsides. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

2002 is such a beautiful vintage IMHO. In many ways, I think even better than 07. We’ll see in five years from now as I lack a time machine.

I’ve said this a couple of times over my nearly 4,200 Delectable notes. There is no amount of decanting a young wine that can reproduce the beauty, elegance, florals, integration, balance and finish as long bottle age. If you are buying expensive Cabernets and drinking them young, you are simply short changing yourself out of your deep investment.

This largely under known Napa producer is a shining example of that tonight. Proof in the pudding so to speak.

The nose reveals, sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, understated blueberries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, incense, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets.

The body is; round, rich & luxurious. The tannins still have baby teeth and show chewy tarriness. The tension, structure, length and balance have hit their peak. It’s not going to improve, it will simply show you descending changes which, can be quite enjoyable but, not necessarily for the ones that appreciate wines young. Interesting, none the less, for the ones that enjoy all sides/aspects of wine evolution. Sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, mulberries, boysenberries, more blue fruits than the nose, cherries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices with just the right amount of heat, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth, fresh tobacco, suede style leather, saddle-wood with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets. The ABV on this wine is really nice given today’s hotter wines. Climate change, it’s a bitch. The round acidy is as good as it gets. The long, excellent, elegant, rich, ripe, ruby, gorgeous, sexy, floral, perfectly balanced finish falls into persistent heaven.

This is a gorgeous example of what Napa Valley is capable of in grand vintages, if you have good storage & can show patience.

Photos of; an arial view of Jones Family Winery, patio tasting area, beautiful Jones Family Cabernet fruit and their amazing vineyards. — 5 years ago

Matt Mason

9.4

C straw; N citrus, white peach; T lemon grapefruit up front, white peach on the end. — 8 years ago

Kathy Schmedding

9.2

Great Chardonnay! Delicious with shrimp scampi. Great find by Schmed in Santa Barbara! — 8 years ago

Narun P

8.9

Beautiful bloody and transparent shade of red. The aroma reminds me of dry prune or dry ripe/resinated black grape. On the palate, the wine is easy drinking, medium astringency, with balanced red cherry, earthy quality, and spices. Went surprisingly well with our sushi omakase! — 9 years ago

Lawrence Bernstein

9.0

12/20 Seduction consistently performs. $60 — 5 years ago

Emily Chen

9.0

Light, dry, fruity. Would pair well with seafood. — 5 years ago

with Rachael

Davenport Edwards

9.1

Just fine — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.

Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.

Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.

Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
— 7 years ago

Michelle Tracy

9.0

At first I thought this was too mild. But after it was open about 30 minutes, the fruity flavors really came out. — 8 years ago

Kari DeMarco

8.9

Randomly tried it but I like it! — 8 years ago

Andrew Lam

9.3

The lingering nose of oak and berry when my glass was empty was amazing. — 9 years ago

Jacqueline Fusaro

9.8

A sweeter sparkling wine, like the label says, it's a Carnaval!💃🏻🎉🍾😜👯🍼🍼🍼 After a bottle it feels more like da circus! 🐘🐫🍭🐒💩 — 9 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

Smells of fresh pressed honey crisp apples - skin and all..
Cocoa, mint, fresh ground coffee, darkness lies in this wine in so many ways. So many wonderful ways. Dense and thick, tingling acidity, with well engulfed tannins.
Lovely.
— 5 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Golden straw color. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit and lychee. Creamy mouthfeel, flavors of lemon and a mineral finish. — 6 years ago

Yasuyuki Tauchi

9.4

Everyone could say it must be Burgundy! It’s a footprint of california-made wine that a faint oak vanillas. Cherry, cranberry, very elegant aromas and flavors. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

On the nose, still showing dark currants but, the fruits are starting to shine. Creamy fruits of; black plum, plum, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dark chocolate, mocha bar, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder, sweet tarry notes, expression roast with dark dry & fresh floral bouquet.

The palate is much rounder & integrated from a year ago. The tannins are powdery & dusty. The body is still very full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting together nicely. Creamy fruits of; black plum, plum, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dark chocolate, mocha bar, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder, dry stones, dry stems, sweet tarry notes, expression roast with dark dry & fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is lively. The finish is beautiful but still more earth & spice dominated than fruit. Yet, it is evolving to being more even. It’s just starting to evolve into the wine I thought it will become with a beautiful finish that goes on and on.

Photos of, more guests at the party enjoying themselves, chicken sliders with aioli, view of the Estate vines and Napa Valley floor from their house and the awesome Latin ensemble that performed. — 7 years ago

Randmaster Flash

8.9

Bright with lots of cherry; easy to drink — 8 years ago

Maggie Moodle

9.3

Yummiest red wine champagne! — 9 years ago

with James

Graham Jenkins

8.9

This is not bad at all — 9 years ago

with Jasmine