Born in 1930, Jess Jackson was raised in San Francisco and graduated from UC Berkeley's Boalt Law School. In 1974, he and his family bought an 80 acre pear and walnut orchard in Lakeport, California. After converting the orchard to a vineyard, Jackson began selling his grapes to local wineries.
In 1982, he produced his first bottle of wine under the Kendall-Jackson label. Jess, a founding member of Family Winemakers of California, and his family still run the day-to-day business of the winery. Find out more at www.kj.com.
Kendall-Jackson "Vintner's Reserve" Syrah, California 2002
Price $12
Rating 94
This could be one of the finest Syrahs that this taster has enjoyed during the past twelve months. There is a spectrum of complex and diverse fruit.
Nice spice and oak are well balanced within the blend.
Kendall-Jackson "Highland Estates" Alisos Hills Syrah, Santa Barbara 2002
Price $30
Rating 91
The nose is soft with a bit of dust. The flavors are lean and crisp.
Tropical lime, red cherry, and soft cocoa powder are in the good length.
This wine is all about restraint and delicacy, aged 16 months in 100% French
and American oak (20% new French) barrels.
Kendall-Jackson "Vintner’s Reserve" Merlot, California 2002
Price $15
Rating 90
The nose showcases mint and plum. The fruit is concentrated and complex with
black cherry and ripe plum, followed by mineral in the lingering finish. "We
have soft, velvety tannins without manipulating the wine," explains wine
maker Randy Ullom.
Kendall-Jackson "Grand Reserve" Merlot, California 2002
Price $26
Rating 91
"Great Merlots come from the warmer side of a cool climate or the cooler
side of a warm climate," says wine maker Randy Ullom, "resulting in longer
hang-time and more complexity." The nose is rich with subtle dark fruit. The
sip is bright and chewy, boasting dusty, dark fruit, cocoa powder, delicate
oak within the long length.
Kendall-Jackson "Highland Estates" Taylor Peak Merlot, Bennett Valley 2002
Price $35
Rating 94
The nose is very complex with ripe plum and red cherry. The sip is gripping
with soft tannins that make there presence known. There is lots of
earthiness and structure entwined with the complex fruit. This Merlot is no
wimp, aged 14 months in 100% French oak (77% new) barrels.
Kendall-Jackson "Vintner’s Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2001
Price $15
Rating 89
The nose boasts beautiful mint within the array of ripe fruit aromas. The
sip is lean but complex, mint following with mineral in the long, subtle
finish. "Intense wild blackberry and cassis flavors are accented by vanilla,
mocha and cedar notes," observes wine maker Randy Ullom. "This wine has
subtle tannins and is well structured with a smooth, powerful finish."
Kendall-Jackson "Grand Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2002
Price $26
Rating 92
A sniff reveals black fruit, cassis and soft oak. The sip shows gripping
flavors of blackberry, cassis, cedar and complex oak. The mix of fruit is
67% Sonoma County, 29% Napa County, 4% Mendocino County. Barrel Aging: 100%
aged for 16 months in 93% French (51% new) and 7% American oak barrels.
Kendall-Jackson "Highland Estates" Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon,
Alexander Valley 2002
Price $45
Rating 93
Beautiful high notes revel in the first sniff. There is bright red cherry,
then cassis as well as toasted oak, spice and mineral. This wine sings for a
pairing with great food. A well crafted red, it was aged 12 months in 100%
French oak (44% new) barrels.
Kendall-Jackson "Stature" Red Blend, Napa 2001
Price $95
Rating 94
The nose is ominous exuding importance. There are flavors of cassis, complex
fruit and an array of mineral and balanced oak. "It is two thirds Cabernet
with the remainder being mainly Merlot, though there is three percent Malbec
and five percent Petit Verdot," explains wine maker Randy Ullom. The grapes
are sourced primarily from Rutherford and St. Helena
Oak Aging: 22 months in 100% French oak (44% new).
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