Volume XVI, Issue 6, March 22, 2012
Wines
of the Week
2011 J Viognier, Alexander Valley, Hoot Owl Vineyard
Terrific
floral/spicy, tropical fruit aroma, exactly what the variety offers; dry entry,
but rich texture moderated by great acid.
2010 J Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley
This
estate-grown wine has an aroma of mint/lime and tangerine; the taste is enhanced
by lees contact for added texture. The flavors are lush and long.
Both available only at the tasting room and at jwine.com.
J Visitor Center
The topic arose the
other day when I tasted two superb wines from J’s new winemaker Melissa Stackhouse
that were consciously made so their textures would add to the character of the
wine.
Melissa Stackhouse, J Winemaker
Both are in our Wine
of the Week feature, and both have been made carefully so each has a slightly higher
textural element that adds to the wines.
One is a Viognier, a
wine that is usually rich and oily. To deal with some of this, Stackhouse made
sure the texture was moderated with good fruit acid that leaves the wine with a
brilliant “grapefruit pith” texture.
By contrast, a Pinot
Gris offers more extract of fruit and “middle-of-the-grape” flavors from having
been in contact with the lees, adding a bit of weight to the finish.
When evaluating wine,
failing to “see” the texture as a part of the wine’s overall quality is a
common failing among novices.
The two J wines are
available only through the winery. There will be no retail visibility because
of scant production.
ABOUT
J
Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards
& Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery. The Winery
continues its 25th
Anniversary celebration.
J Vineyards & Winery focuses on non-vintage
Brut, Vintage Brut, and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate
varietal wines, all produced from grapes farmed primarily within Sonoma
County’s Russian
River Valley appellation.
The J Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center and
Bubble Room is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway, south of Healdsburg. To
learn more, or to join the J Wine Club,
go to www.jwine.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook.
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