Tasting Notes: Rich, with plenty of depth, this wine contains the element of ripe peaches at its center, but is balanced with minerality. Ripe stone fruit and citrus blossom waft placidly in the glass and a classic hint of bitter almond rounds out the creamy finish. Big and racy, its acidity avoids the heaviness that can be associated with Marsanne from warmer climates.
This will be the 2nd vintage of our precious French Viognier project, 50% Condrieu and 50% Seysseul. My friend, Francois Villard, and I work together to produce a wine that showcases both our winemaking styles in the bottle. I often am asked why I make this wine. Well, the first white wine which...
This wine was aged 16 months in 30% new French oak and 70% 1 year old barrels. We decided that the Stagecoach vineyard needed additional barrel aging to help marry the minerality of the wine with the intense fruit, thus producing a wine of elegance, finesse and ability to age gracefully for...
The epicenter of Pinot fame in California would have to be the Russian River Valley. The appellation produces supple black cherry fruit and lush texture and this JC Pinot is no exception. Certainly 2007 was a great year to show off our first inauguration of Pinot in the JC portfolio, a long, unhurried harvest paired with low yields provided fantastic fruit to work with. A moonlit harvest, kept the grapes cool and insured uncompromised grape quality, traveling down 101 to Oakland under the stars it arrived at the winery at 1 a.m. Vibrant strawberry and raspberry fruit takes on an earthy, grilled maitake mushroom edge. Exhibiting classic cola-nut and hints of vanilla facilitate a sense of balance and purity of the fruit. Only 50 cases produced.
Winemakers Notes: Around the corner from the Rochioli’s illustrious West Block Vineyard, lies a small but sublime vineyard called Sweetwater Springs which features Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. We are excited to offer you our first release of this stellar section from what appears to be a...
Winemaker’s Comments: Topographically speaking, the steep 55 degree sloped vineyard in an amphitheater like setting profoundly influences the depth and concentration of the grapes. Not to mention the rocky, volcanic soil that provides just enough nutrients for the vine’s struggling...
Winemaker’s Comments: The Fess Parker Vineyard is chosen from 4 parcels or blocks. Three different French Syrah clones make up this great wine. The Combination of warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings resulting from unique east-west orientation of the Santa Ynez Valley along with...
This hillside vineyard of 1 acre is situated in the heart of Alexander Valley, coastal fog is blocked keeping the appellation a bit warmer than some of its Sonoma County neighbors. Gentle coastal breezes manage to find their way through crevasses and alluvial soil rich in minerals from ancient...
I could go into all different stories of why this wine was made, but the truth be known, I get bored easy and I like to play, and play I did. A little from here, a little from there, just a touch from this vineyard and just a bit more from that vineyard! The blend is from select barrels and...
Winemaker Comments: Caldwell Vineyard sits 500 feet above sea level giving panoramic views of Napa Valley, Mayacamas and Vaca Ranges. Grapes were first planted at the Caldwell site in 1982 with cuttings brought into the country using "creative" means. The weather at Caldwell Vineyards...
In 2006 Mother Nature dealt some interesting cards in Santa Barbara with rain, cold, and no sun at times. Some might see this as a potential problem. I saw it as an opportunity to produce a wine that showed the more elegant, almost Côte Rôtie side of Syrah. I had a better hand of...
Winemaker’s Comments: This is the second vintage of 'Buffalo Hill' from a very special block from Rockpile Vineyard. The debut of the 2005 vintage received 96 points from Robert Parker right out of the gates! Although the 2006 has yet to be reviewed, it is every bit as rich and...
Effusive aromatics of ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit are entwined with touches of graphite and smoky game. The exotic berry aromas are bolstered by an impressive dense and rich palate. Incredibly supple tannins draw out an exceptionally long, dark and sexy finish.
Winemaker's Comments: Ventana Vineyards are located just south west of Salinas in Monterey County. These vineyards are unique in that the Syrah vines are planted on their own rootstock, not grafted. The sandy soil prevents the development of the phylloxera bug, a root louse that likes to feed on...
Caldwell Vineyard sits 500 feet above sea level giving panoramic views
of Napa Valley, Mayacamas and Vaca Ranges. Grapes were first planted at
the Caldwell site in 1982 with cuttings brought into the country using
"creative" means. The weather at Caldwell Vineyards has a lot of...
Red and black fruits, with a mineral backbone are the hallmarks of this wine and appellation. A wine of great depth and concentration, Rockpile Vineyard Syrah exhibits extracted fruit character, spice box, wet stone, and smoky notes followed by JC Cellars signature supple mouthfeel.
Ventana Vineyards are located just south west of Salinas in Monterey County. These vineyards are unique in that the Syrah vines are planted on their own rootstock, not grafted. The sandy soil prevents the development of the phylloxera bug, a root louse that likes to feed on the susceptible roots...
Amazing aromatics of lavender, violets, black and red fruits with fresh
cracked white pepper that soars from the glass. Beautifully
concentrated, this opaque purple colored wine is loaded with flavors of
red raspberries, black cherries, smoke, olives, white pepper, and crème
de cassis.
By intertwining the floral and game elements from Pierre's Côte Rozier Vineyard with Rockpile Vineyard's minerality and masculinity, Pourquoi Pas achieves something altogether harmonious and new - as if the two wines not only complement each other but also bring out each other's strengths. Full, rich and round, this is a wine to get lost in. Smoked meat, roasted herbs de Provence, crushed minerals and the essence of blackberries and cassis.
Around the corner from the Rochioli’s illustrious West Block Vineyard, lies a small but sublime vineyard called Sweetwater Springs which features Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Dueling cool fogs from both the Petaluma wind gap and the mouth of the Russian River allow for extended hang time,...
Winemaker’s Comments: Eaglepoint Ranch offers sweeping vistas that take in hundreds of miles of the mountainous terrain of Mendocino County and beyond. The ranch’s mountain soil sits at an elevation of 1700 feet and late-afternoon breezes help keep the grapes at a moderate...
We have explored many styles of Frediani Petite Syrah over the past 8
years. Some have been so explosive and concentrated that you have to
sit back and contemplate how a wine like this could be possible. We
also had years where the minerality of the vineyard leads you down a
path that is as...
Tasting Notes: Alluring and mystical aromas of incense and sweet pipe tobacco permeate the room, a touch of crushed white peppercorns and roasted sweet peppers. Flavors focus on blackberry and black cherry, with subtle hints of dates and figs. French vanilla bean accentuates the finish that definitely does not disappear.
After nearly 2 years your favorite Wine Spectator Top 100 wine is back with the 2007 vintage. If you loved the 2005 JC Cellars ‘The Impostor’ we are certain you will adore the 2007 vintage. You don’t have to wonder what’s behind the façade of this wine, we’ll...
Winemaker’s Comments: The easterly breezes wick up moisture from the Delta which laces the grapes with Botrytis cinerea, extracting the water content from the fruit and intensifying the flavors, until what is left is shriveled, furry raisins. This ugly fruit is transformed into richly opulent nectar that makes you feel simply regal.
This lush exotic example of Viognier was harvested at 36 degrees Brix with just a hint of noble rot. The
bouquet is reminiscent of ripe apricots with hints of peaches and honey. It has a long, smooth tropical aftertaste and is a
perfect dessert all by itself. Residual sugar is 16.5% by weight.
