91 Points for 2006 Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir - 7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout 2009

7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout 2009, Affairs of the Vine

J Winery 2006 Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, $65.00
1409 cases produced
(91 Points)

Male: Cocoa, strawberry and cranberry aromas deliver the same onto the palate, forest notes and brown baking spices highlight the finish on this many layered wine. Round and delicious.

Female: Beautiful, expressive aromatics with earth, mushroom, and nutmeg melding seamlessly with bright cherry, wild berry and forest floor notes. Wow! Rich and elegant with a long finish.

The tasting panels are comprised of a diverse range of wine industry professionals from varying disciplines including restaurant and retail trade, winemakers, wine writers, wine educators, and consultants.

The 7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout judging panel included:
Anthony Austin, Winemaker
Scott Clemens, Editor, Epicurean Traveler
Susan Darwin, Wine Consultant
Debra Del Fiorentino, Wine Consultant, Wine Radius
Barbara Drady, Wine Evangelist, Affairs of the Vine
John Drady, Vintner
Rusty Gaffney, The Prince of Pinot, http://www.Pinotfile.com
David Heppberger, Wine Consultant, Buyer Menlo Circus Club
Ellen Landis, Wine Director, Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, Half Moon Bay, CA
Ken Landis, Chef, Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, Half Moon Bay, CA
Paul Manchester, Vintage 59 Imports
Ben Narasin, Freelance Food & Wine Writer
Mike Potashnik, PhD, Co-Publisher, International Wine Review
Sid Sall, Wine Director, Great Chefs of Marin
Christopher Sawyer, National Wine Writer, Sommelier: Carneros Bistro at the Lodge at Sonoma
Edgar Vogt, Wine Educator, Wineworks
Walter Vornbrock III, Wine Consultant
Liza Zimmerman, Wine Writer & Educator

Q&A with George Bursick - "The Rocking, Vagabond Winemaker"

George Bursick has been vice president of winemaking at J Vineyards & Winery since May of 2006. The Russian River Valley winery was founded in 1987 by Judy Jordan who originally intended it to be a boutique sparkling wine producer. Since then the winery has expanded beyond its signature J Vintage Brut and other sparklers to become a vigorous and creative producer of cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other still varietal wines, and Bursick is now leading the charge. Previously, he was executive winemaker at Ferrari-Carano, a position he held for 22 years. In his spare time, Bursick is a musician: since 1992, he has played in the winemaker rock group Private Reserve.

Check back soon for a link to the full article once it's available on-line at Wine Enthusiast