J Vineyards & Winery

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

8.8240 ratings
8.76 pro ratings
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Daniel P. Drake

Last night I opened the 2016 J Vineyards Pinot Noir. 54% Sonoma County, 31% Monterey County, and 15% Santa Barbara County grapes.

On the nose there was black cherry, strawberry, cranberry, baking spice, black olives, vanilla, violet, smoky oak and earth.

The palate reveals savory notes of dark fruit, black cherry, fig, ripe strawberry, ripe tomato, clove, green tea, baking spice, vanilla, earth and an ever present oak.

The wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity and medium smooth tannins that leads to a medium finish that falls of on the back end. Have a nice weekend and be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷

Last night I opened the 2016 J Vineyards Pinot Noir. 54% Sonoma County, 31% Monterey County, and 15% Santa Barbara County grapes.

On the nose there was black cherry, strawberry, cranberry, baking spice, black olives, vanilla, violet, smoky oak and earth.

The palate reveals savory notes of dark fruit, black cherry, fig, ripe strawberry, ripe tomato, clove, green tea, baking spice, vanilla, earth and an ever present oak.

The wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity and medium smooth tannins that leads to a medium finish that falls of on the back end. Have a nice weekend and be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷

Sep 8th, 2018
"Odedi"

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, red candy, spices, oak, vanilla, cloves, earth, herbs, light barnyard, dark chocolates, vegetables, coffee and black pepper. Not a typical Californian Pinot Noir nose.

Medium bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, cloves, tobacco, coffee, chocolates, earth, spices, light vegetables, pencil lead and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and black pepper.

What a nice surprise. This is a nicely balanced Pinot Noir from California. Showing nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel. High alcohol is noticeable, but it's not too bad. Tangy finish making it interesting.

Nice enough to drink by itself, or with food. This is a great Pinot Noir for the Cabernet drinker, at an affordable price.

100% Pinot Noir grapes from Monterey (70%), Santa Barbara (4%) and Sonoma (26%) Counties.
Wine Enthusiasts 89

14.6% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$25.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, red candy, spices, oak, vanilla, cloves, earth, herbs, light barnyard, dark chocolates, vegetables, coffee and black pepper. Not a typical Californian Pinot Noir nose.

Medium bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, cloves, tobacco, coffee, chocolates, earth, spices, light vegetables, pencil lead and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and black pepper.

What a nice surprise. This is a nicely balanced Pinot Noir from California. Showing nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel. High alcohol is noticeable, but it's not too bad. Tangy finish making it interesting.

Nice enough to drink by itself, or with food. This is a great Pinot Noir for the Cabernet drinker, at an affordable price.

100% Pinot Noir grapes from Monterey (70%), Santa Barbara (4%) and Sonoma (26%) Counties.
Wine Enthusiasts 89

14.6% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$25.

Nov 29th, 2017
Neal Gracey

Cranberry sauce! Mixed berry of raspberry & black. A little thyme and lavender. Some earth tones near the end.

Cranberry sauce! Mixed berry of raspberry & black. A little thyme and lavender. Some earth tones near the end.

1 person found it helpfulApr 20th, 2018
Robert Agans

Good. Decent wine not amazing but works in a pinch. Paired with an amazing meal my wife prepared. Chopped ham, sautéed onions, split peas, in cavatelli with grated Parmesan.

Good. Decent wine not amazing but works in a pinch. Paired with an amazing meal my wife prepared. Chopped ham, sautéed onions, split peas, in cavatelli with grated Parmesan.

1 person found it helpfulApr 7th, 2018
Jane Bassett-Powell

Liked this wine a lot

Liked this wine a lot

1 person found it helpfulMar 15th, 2018
Nagib Nasr

Pleasant

Pleasant

1 person found it helpfulMar 3rd, 2018
Keri-Nicole Dillman

KD

1 person found it helpfulFeb 25th, 2018
Sipping Fine Wine

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986 and celebrated its 30th harvest in 2017. A blend from 3 AVA’s as depicted on the label, a “big” offering from J. Juicy Raspberry and Strawberry flavors adding bits of cola and tea, nice mouthfeel. Graceful tannins, lingering, a little hot from 14.6 ABV, ending with earthy character. Overall very nice value. Tasting Sample.

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986 and celebrated its 30th harvest in 2017. A blend from 3 AVA’s as depicted on the label, a “big” offering from J. Juicy Raspberry and Strawberry flavors adding bits of cola and tea, nice mouthfeel. Graceful tannins, lingering, a little hot from 14.6 ABV, ending with earthy character. Overall very nice value. Tasting Sample.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 18th, 2018
Kristen Grimes

Very different from any other California pinot I've had! Cherry nose with almost a bit of chocolate, very jammy taste but with a strong black pepper spice up front, then a tangy finish making it very unique.

Very different from any other California pinot I've had! Cherry nose with almost a bit of chocolate, very jammy taste but with a strong black pepper spice up front, then a tangy finish making it very unique.

1 person found it helpfulJan 27th, 2018
Raj Ajrawat

A light body with flavorful berry/jam notes.

A light body with flavorful berry/jam notes.

1 person found it helpfulJan 2nd, 2018