By: AJ McClellan
With every day being better than the last we were all in for a real treat on the fourth day of our trip. Simon and Ivan had booked us with one of my favorite wineries, Jones Family! We started off the day a little slow as everyone was recovering from the great night rocking it out in Bob Foleys cave the night before, but once we got on the bus everyone was brimming with excitement.
We pulled up to the winery and immediately Dan Bailey was there to greet us. Dan has been to Graileys several times in the past few years and he is a dear friend to all of us. We stepped off the bus to taste the 2010 and 2011 Jones Family Sauvignon Blanc – the 2010 was very fresh with lovely stone fruit and classic Sauv Blanc acidity while the 2011 was a little more full with rich mineral notes and a lovely finish that would not stop! While we were polishing off the Sauvignon Blanc Dan took us on a tour of the property. His land goes from around 600 to 800 feet above the valley floor, which is a sweet zone for mountain grapes (and just so happens to be the elevation where the majority of the Grand Cru wines are made in Burgundy). The vineyards were outstanding, and the view wasn’t too bad either!
After the tour and we came back for a vertical of the Jones Family cabernet, accompanied by tier second label, The Sisters. We started with a 2003 Jones Family decanted and ready for dinner. 2003 was the first vintage that was imported into Texas by Ivan, so it had a great significance to the Graileys team. The wine was drinking perfectly with soft tannins and surprisingly fresh fruit. The wine paired perfectly with the roasted Boar that the Napa Valley fire chief had smoked for dinner.
After the 03 Jones we went on to taste the 2009 and 2010 Jones Cabernet and Sisters Cabernet. The Sisters were fantastic in their own way and, as always, provide and exceptional value for the money. The Jones wines were killer. Each was Drinking very well (although the 2010 could use a little more time in the bottle) Classic tobacco, rich spice, ripe black fruits, and floral finish. While we were drinking away on the cabs the Graileys members went into a fierce game of bocce ball, which is the perfect outdoor drinking game! During the madness of the game Dan popped and exceptional 1988 Ponsot Clos de la Roche that he purchased from the importer over fifteen years ago. The Burgundy was refreshing change to all of the Cali Cabs we have been drinking and it went down a little too easily!! After the Ponsot Dan was kind enough to pop a bottle of 2003 Guigal La Landonne for everyone to try, which was showing wonderfully with full bacon, smoke, leather, and cigar clippings…
Sadly we eventually had to leave the sunning Jones Family vineyard, but not before Dan snuck us a magnum of the 2010 Jones to take with us on the bus! (I hope this doesn’t get you in trouble good buddy..) The wine was perfect for the ride home in which each of our members had a DJ war playing around 50 different songs on the ride home.
Once we got back to the hotel we had just enough time for a quick shower then it was off to the bar for a drink with Bob Egelhoff. Bobby E is another long time friend of Graileys and he brought with him not only his great 2012 Riesling (which was outstanding with fresh peaches, a hint of sweetness, and outrageous acidity) but he also brought half a case of his library 2006 Cabernet and a magnum of the 2007 Two Worlds Cabernet. The 06 was drinking perfectly with strong tannins and a backbone of clove, cedar, and ripe blackberries while the 07 was even bigger with jammy fruit and a soft finish. Halfway through the night Bob presented Simon with a 6 liter of the 2006 Egelhoff for us to keep as Graileys. We sent the bottle around the room for everyone’s signature to commemorate the occasion, but by the time everyone has signed the bottle we had run out of wine. In true Graileys style Simon stood up and asked Bob if he could refill a 6-liter bottle, once Bob said he not only has the way but the will Simon game me the signed 6-liter and told me to pop the top on it! The party continued well into the night and was a glorious end to a absolutely fantastic Napa trip!
