I long remember visiting J Vineyards many years back as it was one of the great spots to taste bubbles in California. They had a remarkably fun wine tasting atmosphere — more of visiting an ultra lounge than a wine tasting room. J Vineyards was founded in 1986, set in the Russian River Valley. In 2015 Gallo purchased the winery.
I have found that their ‘Cuvee 20’ has been one of the more consistent wines of its kind in California — one that delivers really good value for the price. Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock crafts a brilliant range of wines and she has been at the helm for ten years now. She has been named 2022 winemaker of the year for Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Check out her new lineup which is remarkably consistent. I adored the 2015 J ‘Russian River Valley Late Disgorged’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is very intense, heady and vibrant from this warm vintage. Learn more about these outstanding wines at jwine.com. Here are my reviews of the new wines from J Vineyards.
NV J ‘Cuvee 20’ Sparking Wine- Composed with a 2017 base this is ripe and round stuff showing off salted brioche and tangerine notes alongside suggestions of ginger and cardamom on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next several years Drink 2025 to 2025- 90
2021 J ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparking Wine- The rich and viscous 2021 J ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparking Wine opens with guava and ripe mandarin orange on the nose with pastry crust accents. This is dense and delicious stuff that is best enjoyed over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2015 J ‘Russian River Valley Late Disgorged’ Sparkling Wine- The dazzling 2015 ‘Late Disgorged’ is a stunning ten year old wine sourced from the Russian River Valley. This opens with a silky, moose and refined texture with a great saline edge. Fresh pastry alongside candied, lemon and suggestions of Japanese pear all mark the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with a terrific mouthfeel and great sense of tension. Toasted almond with Bosque pear mingles whale with pink grapefruit blossom and shades of wild mushroom on the palate.This is quite complex showing off the heat of the vintage with its richness in viscosity. It is indulgent to enjoy now and will be best savored over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 95
2023 J ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Gris- A unique wine for this region, the 2023 J ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Gris delivers gooseberry and peach notes on the nose alongside suggestions of starfruit and baking spices. The palate is soft and elegant. Rich melon fruits combine with shades of cinnamon and cloves on the pallet. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025- 2030- 90
2023 J ‘Russian River Valey’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2023 J ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir delivers kirsch and strawberry noted on the nose with smooth mouthfeel. This is loaded with juicy red fruits on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2023 J ‘Bow Tie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 J ‘Bow Tie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers, black tea and exotic spices on the nose, alongside, black cherry, compote, and shades of black raspberry. The mouthfeel is soft and inviting with an enduring texture and excellent viscosity. This is already drinking beautifully now at the two year mark. Drink 2025-2035- 93