Joseph Jewell Wines

The 2009 Pinot Noirs reviewed below were my first introduction to this young winery. I was attracted to the style which is one of balance, finesse, modest alcohols, and welcoming pinotosity. I can see plenty of Gary Farrell influence in these wines. Highly inviting now, the Joseph Jewell Pinot Noirs are easy to drink and sensibly priced.

2009 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.57, 125 cases $33. Hallberg, Floodgate and Appian Way vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 777, and Pommard 4 and 5. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in 20% new Francois Frères French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherries and berries, oak, and a little funk. Moderately intense, earth-kissed dark stone fruit and cherry cola juicy flavors wrapped in supple tannins. Well-crafted but flavors don’t excite. Decent.

2009 Joseph Jewell Appian Way Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.47, TA 0.65, 125 cases, $45. The 2-acre Appian Way Vineyard is located just outside the town of Forestville and was planted in 2001 on a former organic apple orchard site. The clones are 115, 777 and Pommard, rooted in Goldridge soil. Tom and Kelly Keegan are the owners. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in 20% new Francois Frères French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. A highly nuanced perfume jumps out of the glass with scents of black cherries, nutmeg, baking spice and leaf. Tasty black cherry core with a modest attack, finishing short with a slight floral undertone. The tannins are dry, firm and reserved, and the wine is easy to drink. Good (+).

2009 Joseph Jewell Floodgate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.42, TA 0.62, 250 cases, $42. Floodgate Vineyard is owned by Hambrecht Vineyards and farmed by Warren Burton. The name comes from its location next to Mark West Creek which floods every year and submerges the flat areas of the vineyard. This wine is sourced from three different blocks and includes clones 777, 667 and 115. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in 30% new Francois Frères and Rousseau French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Enticing aromatics featuring scents of dark red cherries and berries, exotic timber, and spice. Discreetly concentrated flavors of red stone fruits and red berries with accents of brown spice, fruit leather and herbs. Silky on the palate with well-mannered and supportive dusty tannins. Very good.

2009 Joseph Jewell Elk Prarie Vineyard Humboldt County Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.63, 100 cases, $39. The vineyard sits at 1,200 feet on Fruitland Ridge. Yields were 1.75 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 10 months in 44% new Francois Frères and Rousseau French oak barrels. · Lightest in color of the 2009 Pinot Noirs. Beguiling aromas of cherry essence with hints of strawberry, rose petal and spice. Delicious core of medium-weighted black cherry and raspberry flavors impressing the mid palate and carrying over with emphasis on the lengthy finish. Mild dusty tannins and well-honed acidity create a beautifully balanced wine that really draws you back to the glass. A perfect marriage of pedigreed vineyard and impeccable winemaking.
90 Joseph Jewell 2008 Elk Prairie Vineyard Pinot Noir (HumboldtCounty). Though the bottle is incredibly heavy—a bit much for Pinot—the wine is surprisingly lithe and velvety, with inviting aromatics of cherryand spice. Layered and tamely voluptuous, this is a tremendous, tiny-productionPinot from an unlikely place—Humboldt County—a place with clear potential inthis producer’s hands. —V.B.abv: 13.9% Price: $39

90 Joseph Jewell 2008 Elk Prairie Vineyard Pinot Noir (Humboldt
County). Though the bottle is incredibly heavy—a bit much for Pinot—
the wine is surprisingly lithe and velvety, with inviting aromatics of cherry
and spice. Layered and tamely voluptuous, this is a tremendous, tiny-production
Pinot from an unlikely place—Humboldt County—a place with clear potential in
this producer’s hands. —V.B.
abv: 13.9% Price: $39
2007 Joseph Jewell Wines Appian Way Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 13.5% alc., pH 3.51, 50 cases, $45. From a 2-acre vineyard planted to 60% 115, 20% 777, and 20% Pommard 4 and 5 clones. Goldridge sandy loam. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of spiced plums, cherries, and green herbs. An unusual bottling from the Russian River Valley offering flavors of red plums, cherry skins, pomegranate, and even white peaches with a hint of citrus and chocolate truffle. Delicate and zingy in style with a dry, tangy finish. Good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Joseph Jewell Wines Appian Way Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.51, 50 cases, $45. From a 2-acre vineyard planted to 60% 115, 20% 777, and 20% Pommard 4 and 5 clones. Goldridge sandy loam. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 14 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of spiced plums, cherries, and green herbs. An unusual bottling from the Russian River Valley offering flavors of red plums, cherry skins, pomegranate, and even white peaches with a hint of citrus and chocolate truffle. Delicate and zingy in style with a dry, tangy finish. Good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »

Midwest Wine Guy - Real Honest Wine Reviews and Education


A great thing about most Sauvignon Blanc wines (other than their taste of course) is their price.  This is a stellar example of a top shelf Sauvignon Blanc, and one you should buy.  There.  I said it.  Go buy this wine!  When you put this in your mouth, it feels so lively and fresh that you are hesitant to swallow it because you want to savor the feel.  But once you do taste this, you get a dance of pink and white grapefruit, a lemon lime zest, wet mineral, graphite, honeysuckle and flowers.  Expertly made and the suggested retail on this wine is under $25 US.  I don’t know what the production is on this wine, but I’d get it now with spring just around the corner.  You might scoff at the high score, but this wine is more than deserving!  Amazing.

Score:  94