Kendall-Jackson
Land use attorney Jess Stonestreet Jackson bottled his first Kendall-Jackson wine in 1982, and quickly garnered acclaim for the winery’s Chardonnays. Today, its vineyards comprise 14,000 coastal acres planted to a multitude of grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Syrah, Malbec, Muscat-Canelli, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Jackson died of cancer in 2011, but the family business continues, encompassing many wine labels, such as Cambria, Stonestreet, Edmeades, La Crema, Cardinale, Lokoya, Hartford Family Winery, Vérité, Atalon, Carmel Road, Murphy-Goode, La Jota, Freemark Abbey, Byron Estates and Arrowood in the United States; Château Lassegue in France; Tenuta di Arceno in Italy; Yangarra in Australia; and Calina in Chile.
Kendall-Jackson 2004 Alisos Hills Estate Syrah (Santa Barbara County)
- $35
Dark and soft, this Syrah has an enormous depth of fruit. The cherry liqueur and pie filling, mocha, cola, plum and gingerbread flavors finish dry. Loses a few points due to a touch of raisiny, pruny overripeness, which makes the wine heavy.
— S.H.
(6/1/2007)
Kendall-Jackson 2005 Vintner’s Reserve Syrah
- Online Exclusive
- $12
This is really quite a successful wine. It shows an array of ripe, juicy blackberry, cherry, plum, coffee and spice flavors that are wrapped in rich tannins, a big wine with some true elegance.
— S.H.
(11/1/2007)
Kendall-Jackson 2005 Vintner’s Reserve Meritage
- Online Exclusive
- $17
A fine, dry Bordeaux blend that offers lots of value for the money. It shows full-bodied flavors of blackberries, black currants, herbs and cedar, with a spicy finish.
— S.H.
(8/1/2009)
Kendall-Jackson 2007 Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- Online Exclusive
- $20
Grassy, with gooseberry and feline aromas that are pretty strong. Feels crisp and clean in the mouth, with citrus, green apple, fig and spice flavors that finish slightly sweet and sugary.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Kendall-Jackson 2006 Vintner’s Reserve Meritage
- Online Exclusive
- $17
A little on the sweet, candied and soft side, with Lifesaver cherry and black raspberry flavors. But it’s well balanced in acidity and is easy to drink.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
Kendall-Jackson 2007 Jackson Estates Grown Vintner's Reserve Syrah
- Online Exclusive
- $14
Good price for a wine of this polish and satisfaction. While it’s too soft, it’s dry and attractive. Made in a cool-climate way, with brisk tannins and peppery flavors of blackberries and black currants.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
Kendall-Jackson 2008 Vintner’s Reserve Riesling (Monterey County)
- Online Exclusive
- $12
Not really dry, this Riesling has an official residual sugar reading of 2.11. It’s blended with Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay and Viognier. The end result is fruity and spicy, with flavors of honey-splashed apples, citrus fruits and peaches. High acidity provides much-needed crispness.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Kendall-Jackson 2008 Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay
- $15
Oaky, fat and slightly sweet, with creamy flavors of pineapples, buttered popcorn and vanilla. A good approximation of a Burgundian-style California Chardonnay at a fair price.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
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