I am always honored to be the first critic to write about great wines. A really exciting new project that merges Victoria, British Columbia with the Napa Valley, Kennedy Cellars was founded in 2018 by Johnathon Kennedy Sipos. Johnathon’s business career was in luxury real estate development, recently having completed one of British Columbia's premiere residential developments in Victoria's inner harbor, the Customs House. There was a certain similarity that captivated Johnathon between luxury development and luxury wine. Both required the same attention to detail, patience, and an uncompromising approach at every step. From the onset Johnathon took a hands on approach to the journey, making the most of his WSET 3 degree, personally travelling extensively through the valley to meet with multiple wine makers, and decided to partner with one of Napas leading custom crush facilities, Bin to Bottle, and two of Napas premiere viticulturists, Oscar Renteria and Mark Neal.
The new wines come from the great 2018 and 2019 vintages. I adored the new 2019 Kennedy Cellars ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) a wine that is extremely smooth and refined once on the mouth. This is a must-buy for any lover of great Carneros Chardonnay. I must admit that I was totally blown away by the 2018 Kennedy Cellars ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is unabashedly bold and full-throttle, with brilliant terroir from this special and unique site. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/KennedyCellarsInc/ and here are my reviews of the great new Kennedy Cellars wines.
2019 Kennedy Cellars ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay- Golden in the glass, the 2019 ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay delivers a soft mouthfeel with Pink Lady apple, vanilla cream and toasty brioche flavors that combine with the gorgeous length. Consume this beauty over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2018 Kennedy Cellars ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2018 Kennedy Cellars ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 28 months in French oak before bottling. Anise, black currant cordial and loamy soils all fill the nose with sweet pipe tobacco accents. The palate is medium to full-bodied with very refined tannins and a silky entry once on the attack. The combination of perfumed red and dark fruits really make this sing. Enjoy this well-balanced beauty over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 94
2018 Kennedy Cellars ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Every bit as good as the ‘Howell Mountain’ bottling, the 2018 Kennedy Cellars ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon was also stored in French oak for 28 months and comes from 25 year old vines. Very inky once in the glass, this shows gorgeous aromatic range from black rose petals to creme de violette, tar, pencil lead and freshly tilled soils. The palate is very concentrated but shows a brilliant acid backbone, with very soft tannins framing everything brilliantly. Enjoy this beautiful wine in its heady youth and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2036- 95