Residual Sugar (R.S.): The total quantity of sugars remaining unfermented in the finished wine. This may include both fermentable sugars (glucose and fructose) and small amounts of those few sugars, which are not readily fermented by typical wine yeast.
In 1983 Jess Jackson (a very successful lawyer) decided to create a wine that was fresh, fruity and above all else consistent vintage to vintage. This philosophy led to one of the most successful wine brands in the world, Kendall Jackson. The first wine, a Chardonnay, was an instant success and for nearly 25 years has been the most widely distributed and sold wine in America. Jess Jackson did not just take his money and run but rather started to purchase vineyards all over California and wineries that he thought he could help take to the next level.
In 1995 Mr. Jackson purchased Alexander Mountain Estate, a 5,500-acre mountain that is planted with 700 acres of vines. His simple, slightly sweet wine bought him a mountain and built a wine empire, literally. Most self-proclaimed wine snobs would turn their nose up at KJ or some of its estates ,but that is a mistake you should not make. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from the wine trade is to always re-try wines and never judge a wine until I have tasted it. This is more easily said that done, but it is important for anyone who likes to explore wine. The past 10 years have seen an influx of competition and this had led to most wineries to improve their wines, which only benefits us, the drinkers.
This weekend Shauna (my wife) and I were invited to visit three of Jess Jackson’s premier estates: Vérité, Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate, and Hartford Family Winery. All three wineries are in Sonoma and ALL produce exceptional wines.
This weekend was not the best weekend to see vineyards and drive on two-lane windy roads, but we put on the raincoats and headed out. Our first stop was Vérité. This estate is dedicated to producing Bordeaux styled wines. They produce 4 wines, Archipel, and three different Vérité wines: La Muse, La Joie, and Le Désir. Pierre Seillan who is from Bordeaux and worked at Chateau Petrus and Chateau Cheval Blanc makes the wines and his training is evident from the moment you pick up your glass. Each wine is an expression of his passion of the vineyard and his love of the Bordeaux grapes. The experience was a great way to start our trip and the wines are lovely!
Our next appointment was a Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate. To be honest when I worked at The Henry Wine Group I used to sell this label and I always thought the wines were pleasant but not great. BOY, have times changed! When we arrived at the tasting room the rain had stopped, so our host decided that we should get in the 4-wheel drive truck and go up the mountain and see what is going on in the vineyards. So up we went.
The first vineyard we saw was at 1,800 feet and called “Broken Road”. There is a fault running right through the vineyard and the road is literally broken, hence the name. This is a Chardonnay vineyard that produces 347 cases of wine. The wine was beautiful. It is pristine in color, intense on the nose without being overbearing and the palate speaks of the vineyard. It is always a joy for me to taste a wine that speaks of the place and actually be trying the wine in that place.
We then drove up about 1,000 more feet to the Cabernet Vineyards and got a look at the valley below. When we reached the top, the storm really blew in and we decided it was better to head down the mountain and have some lunch. We ended up at the Jim Town Store and had a great pot of chili and corn bread. We finished our tasting at the Jim Town store. We tried the Alexander Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon (which are both grown on Alexander Mountain Estate). Both wines were well made, balanced and showed off the care and dedication given to the Jackson Family Estate vineyards.
Finally our weekend ended at Hartford Family Winery. I have been a big fan of this winery through all of its names (Hartford Court, Hartford and now Hartford Family Winery). This winery produces some of the most pure and exciting examples of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel I have every tried. Each wine we tried was well balanced, pure of flavor and spoke of the place it was from. At this tasting we tried the Four Hearts 2005 Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, the Stone Côte 2006 Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast, the Land’s Edge 2005 Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast, the Fog Dance Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir from Green Valley, Zinfandel 2005 Russian River Valley and finally the Hartford Vineyard 2005 Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley.
Each winery produced beautiful and compelling wine that is worth seeking out and having with your next meal. If you are in Sonoma I highly recommend stopping by each of the wineries and trying the wines.
Cheers!
Shilling for the man...for shame! ;)
Posted by: David C | 03 March 2008 at 06:10 AM