The 2011 Chardonnay Journey is gorgeous. A wine of crystalline purity and nuance, the 2011 is endowed with an exotic, perfumed quality that is highly appealing. Apricots, orange zest, mango, jasmine and ginger are all layered together quite nicely. There is plenty of nuance in the glass and gorgeous palate presence, but no sense of excess weight. The 2011 was made mostly from high elevation sites in Alexander Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.
The 2010 Pinot Noir Hailey's Block, from a parcel in Arrendell, offers up freshly cut flowers, sweet black cherries, mint, licorice, new leather and a hint of French oak. Vibrant and delineated, the 2010 marries the typical generosity of these Dijon clones in the Green Valley with the cool, insistent minerality of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
Autumn leaves, mint, tobacco, earthiness and dried cherries all come together in the 2010 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters. Firm tannins and crystalline nuances typical of Anderson Valley come through loud and clear. Sweet floral notes wrap around the fruit in this poised, chiseled wine. The acidity and freshness of the vintage reappear on the finish, adding distinction and personality. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
The 2011 Zinfandel Jolene's Vineyard is laced with sweet tobacco, wild flowers, sage and rosemary. The style is less obvious than in many of the other wines in this range, instead, the Jolene's relies on its energy and focus to impress, which it does quite nicely. The finish is all about precision and nuance. Jolene's emerges from a parcel of 100+-year-old head-trained vines. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019.
The top of the line 2011 Chardonnay Stature opens in the glass with orange blossoms, nectarines, butter, roasted almonds and honeysuckle. A rich, vinous wine, the 2011 is a very typical and representative example of barrel-fermented California Chardonnay.
Hartford's 2011 Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard comes across as quite reticent and inward. Apricots, nectarines, butter, honey and spices meld together in the glass. The 2011 needs time, but it is full of promise. Today, the 2011 is quite a typical wine from the true Sonoma Coast. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
The 2011 Chardonnay Fog Dance Vineyard is laced with citrus, matchstick, white flowers, crushed rocks and mint. Bright, fresh and totally articulate, the Fog Dance is another superb wine in this vintage. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding a vibrant, saline-infused brightness. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
The 2011 Chardonnay Stone Cote Vineyard, from a parcel within Durrell, is one of the softest, most textured Chardonnays I tasted from the 2011 vintage. Nectarines, orange blossoms, butter and sweet spices all meld together in the glass. The 2011 isn't a huge wine. It remains oily and lush on the palate, yet not at all heavy. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Bear Point comes across as quite sensual in this vintage, especially for a mountain wine. Blueberries, blackberries, cassis, graphite, sweet spices and violets all wrap around the finish. The 2010 impresses for its pure silkiness and length. Warm, resonant spices notes add complexity on the finish. The Bear Point is pretty but not as complex or structured as I had hoped. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.
The 2011 Chardonnay Broken Road is a great introduction to the Stonestreet wines. Rich layered and deeply textured - but not at all heavy - the 2011 is simply brilliant. Lemon oil, butter and crushed rocks are all very much alive in the glass. The 2011 is absolutely delicious, but it could use another 6-12 months in bottle to fully come together, as it is a bit tight at the moment. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2018.
The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Helena Bench/Sonoma County is the richest and weightiest of the three Sauvignons I tasted. It shows plenty of depth, but has less to offer in the way of aromatic complexity or energy. The relative warmth of this site in Knights Valley is quite evident in the wine's plushness. Personally, I gravitate towards the more focused Sauvignons in this range, but there is a lot to like here as well. Apricots, lychees, jasmine and spices are all woven into the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015.
The 2011 Chardonnay Bennett Valley has a bit more freshness and vibrancy than the straight Chardonnay. Lemon, grapefruit, crushed rocks, flowers all flow through effortlessly to the pointed, chiseled finish. An energetic, bright Chardonnay, the Bennett Valley captures the essence of 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
The 2011 Pinot Noir Arroyo Seco is another gorgeous wine from a region that is yielding excellent results for La Crema and other wineries in the Kendall-Jackson portfolio. Freshly cut flowers, violets, black cherries and mint all jump from the glass. Some of the other Pinots in the range might be sexier or hail from better known appellations, but savvy readers should pay attention to the Arroyo Seco bottling. It is a gorgeous wine and remains very fairly priced within the context of high-quality California Pinot. The 2011 is juicy, bold and flavorful, yet retains plenty of vibrancy and energy. If that all sounds appealing, believe me, it is. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2017.
The 2011 Pinot Noir Los Carneros is explosive in this vintage. Dark red fruit, flowers, new leather, French oak and spices all burst from the glass. A powerful yet juicy wine, the 2011 is endowed with tons of depth and persistence, not to mention terrific overall balance. Hints of licorice and melted road tar add an element of gravitas to the dark, brooding finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
A huge, full-bodied wine, the 2010 Pinot Noir Nine Barrel is positively explosive in the glass. Though nicely done in this style, I can-t say the 2010 is an especially subtle or finessed Pinot, rather it is a wine that emphasizes juiciness and immediacy. All that is a way of saying this is a typical high-end Russian River Pinot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
The 2011 Chardonnay Arroyo Seco stands apart from the rest of these wines for its rich, broad-shouldered frame. Smoke, butter, rich apricots and licorice all flesh out in a large-scaled, generous Chardonnay endowed with tons of personality. Sweet, honeyed notes add textural volume and complexity as the wine continues to open up with air. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.
The 2010 Chardonnay Nine Barrel is all about texture and polish. Lemon, white flowers, butter and spices are some of the many nuances that take shape in the glass. The flavors continue to build over time. A nicely shaped, voluminous finish rounds things out. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve wraps around the palate with expressive dark red plums, blackberries, graphite, savory herbs and violets. Rich, layered and expressive, the 2010 stands out for its overall balance and sense of harmony. Firm tannins frame the energetic finish, but at the same time, the 2010 has no hard edges at all, which is so rare for a wine made from mountain fruit. Once again, Kendall-Jackson delivers the goods. The 2010 includes dollops of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
Savory herbs, anise, fennel and nectarines inform the 2011 Chardonnay Seco Highlands. Exotic and beguiling, the Seco Highlands captures the essence of the Rued clone (predominant in this wine), which is known for its aromatic complexity. Bright saline notes support the expressive fruit. The barrel-fermented Seco Highlands Chardonnay is another immensely promising wine from Kendall-Jackson.
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon packs serious punch. Juicy dark berries, plums, raspberry jam, grilled herbs, tobacco, cedar and sweet spices jump from the glass. The 2009 opens up beautifully with a little air. The style remains hearty and at times a bit rustic, but there is nevertheless plenty to admire here. The 2009 is predominantly Sonoma Valley fruit (85%) and includes a dollop of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. This is an exceptional level of quality for a wine with a production level in excess of 10,000 cases. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
Mocha, espresso, cassis, violets, vanilla and French oak all explode from the glass as the 2010 Legacy Red Wine opens up. A full-throttle, intense wine, the 2010 isn't shy. Although quite rich and unctuous, it has plenty of underlying structure to balance the intensity of the fruit. A silky, racy finish rounds things out nicely. The 2010 is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, plus dollops of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Monument is gorgeous and totally juicy. Blackberry jam, blueberries, savory herbs, tar, pencil shavings and sweet spices all burst from the glass in this deeply resonant, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of mocha, espresso and vanilla linger on the finish. The 2010 includes a splash of Petit Verdot and Malbec to round out the Cabernet. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County is a seriously beautiful wine made in a style that showcases the greener, grassier side of Sauvignon, but with a touch more depth than is often found in wines made in this style. The addition of 13% Sauvignon Musque clone and 8% Semillon gives the wine much of its aromatic presence. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.
The 2011 Chardonnay Sonoma County is another gorgeous wine for the money. Dried pears, lemon oil, flowers, butter, almonds and sweet spices inform this beautifully balanced, harmonious wine. All the elements are in the right place. This hugely delicious, entry-level Chardonnay should drink nicely for at least the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015.
Dark cherries, menthol, cloves, violets and sweet spices are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2011 Pinot Noir Grand Reserve. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2011 impresses for its fabulous balance and sheer class. The juicy, forward style is best enjoyed over the next few years. Kendall-Jackson gave the 2011 ten months in French oak barrels, 43% new.