Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Another release from the cooler, Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley, the 2017 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1995 (clones: old Wente, Rued, Dijon 95 and Clone 15) and was fermented and aged in one-third new French oak. Baked apples, toasted bread, spice, honeycomb, and caramelized pineapple notes all dominate the bouquet, and this beauty has a touch of Meursault-like style in its rich, powerful, waxy, honeyed profile. Balanced and textured, with good acidity and a great finish, it's another seriously good Chardonnay from this estate to drink over the following 7-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
From a site planted in 1995 to a myriad of clones, Three Jacks is richly woven in a mix of tropical pineapple, succulent peach and crème brûlée. The mix contrasts well, offering both richness and juicy freshness, compelling in the glass in lengthy tension and grace.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
After a little coaxing, the nose of the 2017 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard sings of lemon tart, lime leaves and white peaches with nuances of ginger ale, yuzu and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful intensity with loads of citrus layers and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing minerally.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Situated on the foggier and colder western edge of the Russian River Valley, almost abutting the Sonoma Coast appellation, Green Valley is one of California’s most reputable Chardonnay and Pinot noir producing regions. It is also a wonderful source of sparkling wines made from these varieties.
Goldridge soils abound throughout the Green Valley appellation. This fine, dark, sandy loam and fractured sandstone is derived from the remains of ancient inland seabeds dating back three to five million years. It is valuable for high quality grape growing because of its excellent drainage and low fertility.