Jones of Washington Delivers Serious Bang for Your Buck
By Kori ~ December 11th, 2012.
Jones of Washington is a small, family-owned winery located in Quincy, Washington. The Jones Family has been farming in the Columbia Basin for over 50 years. In 1997, Jack Jones started planting wine grapes in the Wahluke Slope AVA. At first, they sold their grapes to other wineries. Then, in 2001, Jack decided to start his own winery and Jones of Washington was born. Today, Jack’s son, Greg Jones, oversees the operation.
We recently had the opportunity to taste a number of the current releases from Jones of Washington in a blind samples tasting. We were especially impressed with the 2008 Sangiovese and 2009 Reserve Syrah but would recommend all ten of these wines. Jones of Washington is doing a nice job across the board, and most importantly, their wines deliver serious bang for your buck. Eight of the ten wines received a QPR rating of 4 or 5.
If you haven’t tried any Jones of Washington wines, I encourage you to do so if you see them on the shelf at your local wine shop or on a restaurant wine list.
2008 Jones of Washington Sangiovese (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-deep red in color. Nice nose with red fruit, earth, and oak aromas. Red cherry, red plum, earth, and a touch of leather come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15
2009 Jones of Washington Reserve Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington): Dark, dense purple. Aromatic with black fruit, black pepper, and spice on the nose. Black cherry, blackberry, spice, and black pepper come through on the palate. Full-bodied with crisp acidity and high, dry tannins. Well-balanced with a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30
2009 Jones of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Deep, dark purplish red in color. Aromatic with black fruit and magnolia blossoms on the nose. Blackberry, black cherry, and floral notes come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $15
2008 Jones of Washington Merlot (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red. Aromatic with black cherry and oak on the nose. More black cherry as well as mocha comes through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $15
2009 Jones of Washington Cabernet Franc (Wahluke Slope, Washington): Deep, dark red. Aromatic with plum preserves on the nose. More plum, earth, and licorice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $15
2011 Jones of Washington Late Harvest Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Very pale straw yellow. Aromatic with apricot, peach, and a touch of honey on both the nose and palate. Medium sweet and medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $20 [375ml]
2009 Jones of Washington Jack’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, dark red. Nice nose with jammy black fruit and oak. Black cherry, blackcurrant, and pencil lead come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30; Available elsewhere, $29
2011 Jones of Washington Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale straw yellow. Aromatic with clementine orange, melon, and floral notes on both the nose and palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15
2009 Jones of Washington Reserve Malbec (Wahluke Slope, Washington): 75% Malbec and 25% Syrah. Dark purple in color. Aromatic with blackberry jam, black cherry, and spice on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $30
2011 Jones of Washington Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): 100% Riesling. Pale, greenish straw yellow. Nice nose with aromas and flavors of oranges and gardenias. Slightly off-dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity, and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $12; Available elsewhere, $12 to $15
2010 Jones of Washington Syrah (Wahluke Slope, Washington): Dark purple in color. Nice nose with jammy black fruit, spice, and oak aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with lively acidity, medium tannins, and a long, slightly bitter, finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $15; Available elsewhere, $15
Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dessert Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Malbec, Merlot, Red Wine, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Over $25, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Just enjoying two Jones of Washington wines – the 2013 Pinot Gris and their 2013 Chardonnay – don’t hesitate on these!! Lovely light wines and perfect with appetizers, light entrees – delicious!
Cathy,
Thanks for the recommendations. We look forward to trying the new releases from Jones of Washington. Cheers!