-
Try our Advanced Search for more options
The Russian River Valley produces exquisite Chardonnay because of two key advantages: a cool climate and diverse soils. Night-time fogs throughout the summer extend the growing season. Moreover, a geology of volcanic eruptions, colliding tectonic plates, and the river’s movement of rocks and dirt have left the Russian River Valley with more diverse soils than almost any other Californian AVA. By sourcing grapes from multiple locales, J Vineyards can blend lots with distinctive flavor and mineral profiles into a Chardonnay with excellent balance, structure, and complexity. Aromatic fruit, bright flavors, refreshing acidity, and a creamy texture hit the sweet spot. The winery suggests a pairing of lemon risotto topped with crispy confit chicken or miso-glazed black cod over cold sesame soba noodles. A semi-firm sheep cheese would be excellent as well.
J Vineyards and Winery produces highly-acclaimed sparkling wines as well as varietal wines in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. As the daughter of Tom Jordan, founder of Jordan Winery, Judy Jordan was raised amidst the hustle and bustle of an influential rising star in Sonoma County’s wine industry. Rather than join the family business, however, she struck out to pursue a passion for sparkling wine and to establish the Russian River Valley as a premier location for sparkling wine.
With a foggy cool climate as well as a wide range of complex volcanic and alluvial soils, the Russian River Valley has been attracting vintners of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay seeking the holy grail of a perfect Burgundian terroir. The qualities are similarly advantageous for sparkling wine producers though not for quite the same reasons. Unlike the maker of still wines, the sparkling wine producer is typically not interested in capturing the essence of a particular vintage or vineyard but in creating a delicious and consistent house style. Blending the base wines (that will then be bottled with some sugar and yeast for the secondary fermentation) is key to the art. In early spring, the finished Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wines from different vineyards will be sitting in dozens of tanks. From these lots, the winemaker will painstakingly assemble the base wines, possibly adding in some reserve wines from earlier vintages for additional complexity. J Vineyards, with 10 estate vineyards spread out across the AVA, is assured of a great diversity from which to assemble great and complex base wines. The cool climate of the Russian River Valley also offers J Vineyards an advantage because they can begin the harvest a bit later than in warmer areas and still get the high acidity and low sugar necessary for high quality sparkling wine.
While J Vineyards started out as a sparkling wine producer, it became clear over time that, with so many vineyards in prime Russian River Valley locations, the opportunities for making distinctive varietal wines were there for the taking. Today only about 35% of J Vineyards’ total production is devoted to sparkling wine with the rest divided between single vineyard and blended bottlings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Russian River Valley (Sonoma) |
| Winery | J Vineyards & Winery |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Color | White |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 9.0 x 29.5 |
| Case Size | 36.0 x 27.5 x 30.5 |
| Alcohol | 14.5% |
| Product Code | JJ22RRC |
| UPC | 724624118018 |
92 points (2021 vintage) – James Suckling.
Citrus and orange blossom on the nose open up to a smooth and balanced palate of yellow apple, lemon, and pears with notes of toasted almonds. Crisp acidity and minerality balance the creamy texture and generous fruit.
Whole clusters were pressed gently and fermented 100% in barrel. Different vineyards, blocks, and clones were kept separate and blended just before bottling. The wine aged a combination of old and new French oak barrels.