Deep yellow color and strong aromas of vanilla, stone fruits. Wonderful strong, rich flavors of vanilla, oak, with subtle background of citrus lending acidity to keep it light and very drinkable. Not too oaky or buttery, everything to love about California Chardonnay! — 3 years ago
I’ve had 2011, 2012, 2013 and now 2014. Aside from 2011, the notes are quite similar. This was opened for a merlot theme, and found itself near to the 2012 Reserve (much more layered). Corked and held up well over a few days.
After a few visits here, you start to pick up a signature note in all their red wines which is like menthol wrapped green peppercorn, and that is absolutely present here.
There’s an old world style but with a stamp of new world. Similar to the 2013, this has quite a bit of herb crusted black cherries and cherry tobacco aromatically. On the palate it has nice weight at this age and seems to be drinking at peak but with a great spine of acid. There is bay leaf, powdered dark cocoa, mocha, tart currant and more black cherry notes towards the finish. More right bank Bordeaux like than the other vintages. Really pretty. — 6 months ago
First time trying and wow - nicely woven integrated wine but my friend and fellow wine nerd @Shay A says it best so borrowing his comments from 2018 and I quote
“Jarvis winery is one of my all time favorite winery visits in Napa. Their caves are the most impressive I've seen, along with their natural springs running through the tunnels. Their merlot is my favorite out of Napa, and their
Cab Franc is a close second. This is 95% CF, 5% merlot. It balances ripe Napa CF and Loire Valley CF. Streak of green bell pepper down the middle with herbal spice, ripe
blackberry and stemmy dark fruits. There is plum, and spice cake on the finish. This needed an hour+ for the mid palate to beefen up and match the entry and finish”
Bravo and well said Shay - glad I found my patience with this wine bud — 2 years ago
Simply amazing — 3 years ago
Would go back to Jarvis again and again for this despite the high price tag. My all time favorite. Everything you can dream of in a red wine and more. — 7 months ago
Jarvis has always been such a unique producer with its incredible underground facility and fascinating lineup of wines. Their Finch Hollow Chardonnays (this one and the Unfiltered version) are outrageously expensive, but they sure know how to deliver on flavor profile.
My notes here are actually quite similar to the 2015 I opened last year, but everything is a touch more restrained. Normally quite rich with expensive oak usage, this seems nicely balanced…it’s almost fresh in profile. Sweet lemon cream alongside marzipan and sea breeze aromatically. From a phenolic standpoint, it’s close to some of the Aubert offerings with its powerful texture. Finishes with a surprising amount of honeysuckle, caramel dipped apple, and honeycrisp. This seems to be built for a bit longer aging compared to the 2015. I’ll be curious to see how the 2018 is. — 2 years ago
It’s Chardonnay week! First the Jarvis Finch Hollow and now Tor Beresini. Excellent — 3 years ago
Joe DAscoli
From magnum. Delicious — 5 months ago