Once in a while you will drink a glass of wine and re-live what I call a “wine A-ha moment”. It happened for me again after drinking a glass of the 2010 Jarvis Estate Grown Reserve Chardonnay.
The Jarvis Estate winemaking facility is entirely contained within 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the scenic Vaca Mountains, four miles east of downtown Napa. It is not only a visual masterpiece, but a technical masterpiece as well. Tastings and tours are by reservation only with a cost of $60 per person. We have friends in the industry so we were fortunate and enjoyed our tasting and tour complementary.
I would suggest that you allow yourself two hours for the winery cave tour and tasting experience.
Sight
Medium color depth with a nice amber hue.
Smell
Very aromatic aromas of creamy, vanilla, slight oak, peach, and apple.
Taste
Dry, full-bodied with balanced acidity with weak and soft tannins. Soft silky rich mid-palate flavors with a long savory finish.
abv: 14.8%
How much: $150.00 This one blew the bank but was exceptional. Well worth it.
Region/Appellation: Napa Valley Estate Grown
Wine makers notes: The fruit goes through low temperature fermentation in new french oak barrels, followed by a complete malolactic fermentation. After ten months of sur lie aging (the dead yeast remains in the tank), the wine was designed as a reserve Chardonnay. To preserve its natural flavor, it is bottled UNFINED and UNFILTERED. Best served at 68°.
I thought the Reserve Chardonnay was excellent at room temperature. I rated the 2010 Jarvis Estate Grown Reserve Chardonnay four glasses.
Life is too short to drink crappy wine. Expand your palate and keep trying.
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