“J” Wines

Everything today is initials. We no longer refer to companies by name but by their initials, AT&T, NBC, CBS, TWC, TWA and on and on until we finely to get LOL. With that in mind, it was inevitable that a wine company would do the same; and so it has, “J” Wines. The use of the initial is all that is needed for ”J“ wines because the “J” wines are, if you will pardon the British expression, “top draw.”
All of the “J” vineyards wine source comes from the prestigious Russian river Valley, an area known to be one of the finest for growing the Burundian grapes, the Pinot noir and Chardonnay. There are few who will question the fact that the Russian River grapes make wines that can hold their own and often better any wine made anywhere in the world.

2012 “J” Vineyards Vin Gris ($20). Vin Gris translates from the French as “grey wine.” In truth the wine is a light pink and nowhere near grey. With that out of the way, this delightful wine was made from Pinot Noir grapes. Rather than leaving the wine on the skins to extract the color and the other constituents found in the skin if a grape, the “J” vintners chose to remove the fresh juice and ferment it as a white wine and a really beautiful pink wine was created. The wine opens with the aromas of strawberry and cherry with a suggestion of rose petal. These aromas migrate to the flavor where they merge with a light but well balanced acidity. This is real “do it all” wine and will fit nicely with any of our summertime meals.

2012 “J” Vineyards Pinot Gris ($20). Now this is confusing. If the 2012 “J” Vineyards Vin Gris is made from Pinot Noir grapes, should it not be called Pinot Gris. Not this time, the 2012 “J” Vineyards Pinot Gris is a wine made from the Pinot Grigio grape and reflects all of the flavor and quality that can be coaxed out of that grape variety. The aromas of apricot, pineapple and topical fruit rise from the glass when the wine is poured. The usual crispness of the variety is balanced by the flavors of kiwi, orange blossom and honey which delight the palate and linger for a very long time. This wine is so good we can completely forgive “J” Vineyards for the Gris faux pas.

2011 “J” Pinot Noir ($37). Wassamatterfor you; couldn’t think of something different to call a good old Pinot Noir. May we suggest for their next vintage the name Côte d’Or Rouge after the great growing district in France; that should confuse one and all. The name however does not make the wine and to use a texting expression, this Pinot Noir is TDF (to die for). This wine is a monster, boldly displaying the aromas of plums, dark summer fruit, orange peel and pepper which heralds the flavors of vanilla, black currant and a delightful earthiness and then trailing off to a long dark fruit laden finish. To borrow a phrase from the ancient Romans “We who love Pinot Noir, salute you.”

2010 “J” Chardonnay ($28). We have fooled around with names enough so we will just stick with Chardonnay, but don’t think that this lessens the wine; it is really a fine wine. Chardonnays come and Chardonnays go and to tell the truth, most of them have become boring. There is however, nothing boring about 2010 “J” Chardonnay. Here is a wine that displays all of the character and elegance of the fabled Chardonnay wines of old. Apples and soft oak mark the aroma with just the faintest hint of citrus. There is oak to be found in this wine, but in delectate and very pleasing amounts. The flavor is rich and features butterscotch and honey and a buttery smooth sensation on the palate. This is an excellent Chardonnay and it will restore your faith in the variety.