From the Cellar
2008 Harvest — The growing season for 2008 was a year that saw a spring frost hit many vineyards, with damage ranging from minor to severe depending on the location and elevation of each vineyard. In some locations, such as in the Central Coast of California, the vines underwent a condition known as “shatter” that happens when cold and windy weather conditions interfere with the pollination of the grape flowers. Shatter is indicated by the presence of immature fruit or “shot berries” (tiny green berries in place of where the mature grape berries would be) and results in a reduced harvest and smaller clusters.
However, the silver lining to this cloud is that nature’s own pruning system created a year of lower yield but high quality. Fortunately for Jazz Cellars, we had greatly increased our contracts for 2008, providing us with more selections of varietals, distinct vineyards and locations from across California. In fact, our 2008 vintage ranges from Santa Barbara County in the south to Mendocino County in the north.
Selected Tasting Notes on 2008 Wines — Here are some early comments from our winemakers on how a few, selected wines from the 2008 harvest are shaping up. Keep in mind that these are still very young! Except for the Grist Zinfandel, the rest of the wines mentioned below are new to Jazz Cellars this year. As you can tell by our winemakers’ comments we are very pleased with the 2008 harvest and the outlook for these wines!
2008 Pinot Noir, Lone Oak Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Color:
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very deep reddish purple |
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Aroma:
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creamy, blackberry, luscious |
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Palate: |
very good fruit on palate with raspberry notes. full mouthfeel, a touch chewy in its youth, but all the pieces are present. very good. |
2008 Pinot Noir, Doctors Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Color:
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deep garnet color to red ruby with purple hues |
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Aroma:
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lots of fruit (cherry, raspberry), some floral and sweet oak notes, very nice! |
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Palate: |
wonderful fruit flavors, slightly chalky tannins, solid acid backbone, well balanced |
2008 Zinfandel, Grist Vineyard (Dry Creek Valley)
Color:
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Medium deep color with a dark red hue. |
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Aroma:
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Spicy nose, showing good brambly notes, along with ripe fruit and some dried herb notes. |
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Palate: |
Soft entry, still quite vibrant in acidity due to the ML (malolactic fermentation) still not being completed. The structure of the wine is sound and there is sweet, ripe fruit flavors that balance out with the soft tannins. Medium bodied with a nice long finish. |
2008 Zinfandel, Teldeschi Vineyard (Dry Creek Valley)
Color:
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dark purple garnet | |
Aroma:
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dark berry fruit, black cherry, deep, rich |
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Palate: |
good acid, gobs of fruit - cherry, berry, slightly jammy, medium tannins, med-full bodied, good balance |
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