Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson Winery Founder

Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson Winery Founder passed away on Thursday April 21, 2011.

As I dig into American wine and its culture, I find that events that would never have caught my ear, now do get my attention. With all the wines I've reviewed on the NH Wine-Man, I've neglected to comment on the three Kendall-Jackson wines I've tried; so, to commemorate American wine-history and one of those who had such an impact on what wines we drink and what prices we pay for those wines, I'll post two reviews.

Kendall-Jackson Sonoma County Grand Reserve 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99-$23.99, 90 points, is one of those premium wines that you'll find in your local Market Basket, or any number of other wine shops and grocery stores; this is a wine for those occasions when something special is desired, but time to hunt-down that special wine is just not there (I know we are all in a hurry).

The Grand Reserve is beautifully aromatic with sweet dark fruit.

Color is clear Bordeaux.

This wine is a balance between rich, but not heavy, smooth, but with a tart finish keeping this wine lively in the context of a typical California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve 2006 Pinot Noir, $14.99-$17.99, 89 points, is a gentle balance of flavors unique to Pinot Noir, not too tart nor too sweet, not too Gamay light, nor Cabernet heavy, but the balance leads to a true Red table wine with the widest pair-ability.

     
It is difficult to find a "good" Pinot Noir under $40.00, but with the Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve you're under 
$20.00, which gives this wine a great QPR. 

Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve 2006 Zinfandel

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Summertime Chardonnay-Times-Two Workmen-Like Chardonnay Wines

Cupcake Vineyards Central Coast 2009 Chardonnay,
$7.00-$12.99, 86+ points, is another workmen-like wine that will serve many folks at a picnic or barbecue, but on that important date? Not my choice! However, I paid $7.00 for a "daily wine" that had a bit of a spark to it, (0.65 g/100mL) some crisp citrus fruit well integrated with 13.5% alcohol, a bit of oak, and just a hint of creaminess.

Kenwood Sonoma Valley 2009 Chardonnay,
$11.99-$13.99, 86 points, does what it is designed to do, be good enough for general wine drinking, but will not get more than that from me (I have come to really appreciate Kenwood wines, but I am disappointed with this one); uninspired, and with lack-luster fruit that's on a scale with their disappointing 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (6.5 acidity). So far, for me, it's Kenwood's Reds!

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Wellington Vineyards Sonoma Valley Zinfandel

Wellington Vineyards Sonoma Valley 2005 Zinfandel, $18.99, 88 points, began my zinperience (Zinfandel wine experience) with a crystal-clear "crushed currant", youthful Bordeaux, and purple-ruby color.
The aroma was pungent plum and cherry upon first pouring, but settled down a bit as the wine breathed. However, the alcohol (14.8%) was always present in the aroma throughout my two hours of drinking (two glasses).
The Wellington was early-palate-light, with mid-palate cayenne, and finishing moderately with white pepper and a hint of ginger.
This is a light to medium-bodied wine that has good flavor, good enough as a stand-alone Zinfandel; I paired it with a buffalo-Cornish-hen taco, and Monterey-Jack nachos, but watch the intensification of heat with Habanero or Jalapeno salsa (FIRE!).
The Wellington Vineyards Sonoma Valley 2005 Zinfandel was found at Janice Morin's Harvest Market Route 101 Bedford, NH.
Good place to pick-up a Lobster with that bottle of Chardonnay!
(603) 472-5017
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Molly Dooker Australian Shiraz Is Rich And Smooth At All Three Price Points

My guess is that you got it from my last posting: I loved  the Mollydooker Carnival Of Love 2007 McLaren Vale Shiraz 94 points, but that awful price is just too much? (2009 Velvet Glove Shiraz $196.99 not in my price range) Well there is a number of ways to look at this, but I want to focus on these other two Molly Dooker Shiraz wines that give a similar feel, flavor, and power and at a reduced price.



Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy 2009 McLaren Vale Shiraz, $49.99-$52.99, 93 points, begins with its dense Shiraz purple color, and wows you with aromas of cinnamon, clove, and cherry; the aroma is more pronounced than the Carnival Of Love 2007 Shiraz. The Tannins are enormous (2009 could be cellared for some time to tone them down.), the feel is silky smooth and rich, yet not as supple or as elegant as the Carnival Of Love, and having a slightly diminished finish,  but plum and licorice are outstanding companions of this big-smashing Shiraz.


Mollydooker The Boxer 2009 McLaren Vale Shiraz, $29.99-$32.99, 90 points, continues the color of the others, the aroma is sweeter and fruitier, and The Boxer retains most of the flavor and feel of the more expensive Carnival Of Love and Blue Eyed Boy, but suffers a hint of bitterness which bites, but is more pronounced in many lesser Australian Shiraz wines. This is still an expensive wine and that bite hurts the QPR (See Index-of-reviewed-wines under Australian wines for comparison).
The Boxer's alcohol  (16%) is more noticeable and gives considerable heat, but is oddly the same as the others. This is still a very good Shiraz, and if you want a feel for Molly Dooker but don't want to go hungry, this one will do, but The Boxer too has the big Tannins and could use some time in the cellar.


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Mollydooker Carnival Of Love 2007 McLaren Vale Shiraz

Mollydooker Carnival Of Love 2007 McLaren Vale Shiraz, $84.99-$99.99, 94 points, was a mega-mouth-filling-meaty wine that is big in price and flavor, deep, dark, aromatic (Sweet-spice, Cedar, Clove, and Cinnamon, all found in the misty afterglow of an early spring thunderstorm), silky smooth, but finished long and strong on cayenne spice and reinforced the unrestrained power of all its well-integrated fruits of Damson Plum, Black Cherry, Black currant, and just a hint of Watermelon accentuating this wine's acidity.

Carnival Of Love is just that: "carnal" with 16% alcohol which was so well-integrated into this wine that the pleasantries of the wild Australian countryside were tamed within its elegance.
Wow, don't miss out on this wine experience that will commemorate graduations, weddings, or just a simple reunion of loved ones and friends. This wine is no joke, but a carousel of taste.


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Cabernet Sauvignon Vignette #15 Caymus Napa Valley 2008

Caymus Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $56.09-$65.99, 93 points; I just love a wine that begins with a lovely aroma, and this Caymus doesn't disappoint, but wafts pleasant subtle hints of mocha and cinnamon.
A royal purple color splashes beautifully.
The rich and luscious texture is embodied in big black fruit and big black licorice, chewy and delicious, and some heat is in on the long finish, but the 15.2% alcohol is well integrated and blended.
This is a good experience, and will reward special occasions admirably.
This will be the last in this series of vignettes, as I have acquired some Zins and Shiraz wines that are calling for attention, especially the MollyDooker 2007 Carnival of Love Shiraz, a wine I've been looking forward to for some time. Robert Parker scored it 96 points, and WS scored it 95 points.


I'll be "blasting you."

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VILLA MARIA Sauvignon Blanc MARLBOROUGH New Zealand

Villa Maria Marlborough 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.49-$18.99, 91 points, is my rare recommendation for spring and summer white wine drinkers.
With a transparent appearance, a transcendent tropical fruit aroma, flavors of peach and papaya, crisp feel (Total acidity: 7.7gL), all of which is surrounded by a gentle ginger spice and finishes moderately with a fruit-spice.
Pair with Oysters or White fish with lemon, green salads, Feta, Gruyere, and Sharp Cheddar cheeses.
I bought two of 750 ml bottles for the lesser price, but wished I had bought a case. At $13.99 you can hardly beat the QPR, nor will your guests be disappointed.

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