By: AJ McClellan
Dan Bailey is one of my favorite proprietors to come into Graileys. Every time Dan comes by we have a great night, not only is he very knowledgeable with regards to wine, but he is also a fun guy to have around. Dan was kind enough to not only bring his current releases but he also brought a vertical of his flagship wine, The Jones Family.
2010 Jones Family Sauvignon Blanc – I was very impressed with this Sauvignon Blanc. I have noticed a trend of better and better Sauvignon Blanc’s coming out of Napa in the past few years. Great tropical fruit notes with a surprising back of minerality and excellent balance.
2008 Jones Family “The Sisters” Cabernet – A great “everyday drinker”. Soft tannins with big bold fruit up front. The finished showed a touch of tobacco and chocolate.
2006 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon – The 06 is in a great drinking window right now. The fruit is soft and clean with bright red cherries and red currants. The palate is mellow with easy going tannins and a long finish.
2007 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon – I was very impressed with the 07 when it was released last year, and if anything the wine has only gotten better since I tasted it last. The nose was powerful with big ripe black and red cherries followed by worn leather and spice box.
2008 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon – I am still on the fence with this wine, I am not sure if it is going to be great or just really good…. I thought it was drinking wonderfully on the night with big black fruits and powerful tannins. Give the wine another two years on its side then we will see how it has evolved.
1996 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum – Dan was gracious enough to sneak a magnum of Jones Families inaugural vintage out for us to try *shhhh, don’t tell anyone*. The wine was delightful! The nose was full of ripe red fruits, raspberries, currants, Bing Cherries, along with cigar box, milk chocolate, and a note of pine. The palate was soft and well developed with a long finish. A great example of what these wines can achieve with sometime in the bottle.