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Here are three excellent Pinot Noirs from the Jackson Family Wines:

• La Crema / Monterey, California
• Blue Grouse / Cowichan Valley, BC
• Cambria / Santa Barbara, California

What makes Jackson Family wines exceptional?

Jackson Family Wines is a renowned wine producer committed to quality and innovation. Several factors contribute to the exceptional reputation of their brands.

1. Quality Vineyard Sourcing: Jackson Family Wines has access to prime vineyard sites in various wine regions, allowing them to select grapes from areas with optimal terroir for each varietal. The quality of the grapes is crucial in producing exceptional wines.
2. Focus on Terroir: Each brand under Jackson Family Wines focuses on expressing the unique characteristics of the terroir where their grapes are grown. This emphasis on terroir allows for wines that showcase the distinctiveness of their respective regions.
3. Attention to Detail in Winemaking: From grape selection to fermentation techniques to aging processes, Jackson Family Wines pays meticulous attention to every step of the winemaking process. This dedication ensures that each wine reflects the best of its varietal and origin.
4. Commitment to Sustainability: Jackson Family Wines is committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices in its vineyards and wineries. This commitment helps preserve the land for future generations and often leads to higher-quality grapes and wines.
5. Innovation and Adaptation: The company is unafraid to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and market trends. This flexibility allows them to consistently produce wines that resonate with consumers while maintaining high quality.
6. Talent and Expertise: Jackson Family Wines boasts a team of talented winemakers and viticulturists with years of experience and expertise. Their skill in blending traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovations contributes to the exceptional quality of their wines.
7. Consistency: Jackson Family Wines maintains a commitment to consistency in quality across its various brands. Consumers can trust that each bottle they purchase will meet or exceed their expectations, regardless of the label.

Overall, the combination of these factors—quality sourcing, terroir expression, attention to detail, sustainability, innovation, talent, and consistency—sets Jackson Family Wines and its brands, like La Crema, Cambria, and Blue Grouse, apart in the world of wine.

Here are the notes for the three wines. Ensure you drink the two California wines at the cooler end of the temperature spectrum. The BC wine is lighter and can be sipped a little warmer.

La Crema Monterey 2022 Pinot Noir

The Harvest

The Monterey Region had a wet start to winter – with early rainfalls helping ease drought conditions by replenishing soil moisture and reservoirs. A mild spring and summer followed, and all was normal until the September heatwave brought record temperatures to the region and a very rapid onset to harvest. We did see slightly lower-than-average yields in Monterey in 2022. Still, a quality harvest was quickly apparent, with concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and re-ned phenolic development being the norm. The Monterey Pinot Noir harvest began on September 7th.

Winemaking

Fruit is cold-soaked at 9˚C for 3-5 days. It is fermented in open-top tanks, punched down 3 times daily, and cold-soaked during active fermentation. Post-fermentation, the free run is transferred to the tank for one night of settling before racking to new and used French oak barrels (18% new).

Alcohol % 13.9 / pH 3.72 / TA 5.2 / RS 0.4

Tasting Notes

This is a delicious cooler-climate pinot noir. It has aromas of red cherry and plum with a hint of earthiness. The medium-bodied wine has flavours of cherry, strawberry, rhubarb, vanilla, plush texture, and balanced acidity with a long finish. 92 Points

Here is the link to purchase the La Crema Pinot Noir from Marquis Wine Cellars and SAQ . 

Blue Grouse Reserve Pinot Noir 2021

Winemaking

This is the inaugural reserve Pinot Noir—a blend of tradition and innovation. It was crafted through foot-treading and clay aging and sourced from two esteemed Cowichan Valley sites. The wine was aged in a barrel for 18 months. 

Alcohol 12% / pH 3.56/ TA 5.8 / RS 0.5

Tasting Notes

A classic Island Pinot Noir from the Cowichan Valley. Pale and transparent in colour with medium body and bright acidity. The pinot opens with vibrant aromas of cherry, rose petals and baking spices. The flavours are led by slightly sour cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate with rainforest floor, cinnamon and nutmeg notes. The tannins are fine and well-integrated, adding to the flavour, complexity, and captivating long finish. 93 Points.

Here is the link to purchase Blue Grouse wines.

Cambria Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Julia’s Vineyard is over 50 years old. It was named after Julia Jackson, daughter of Jesse Jackson and Barbara Banke, in 1988, two years after the Jackson family purchased the Cambria Estate Winery.

The Pinot Noir is the result of sustainable farming and artisanal winemaking.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant aromas of red fruit, mint, leather, and earth. Medium-bodied with black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, mushrooms, and leather flavours. The tannins are firm and well-integrated, and the finish lingers like a refreshing summer breeze. 93 Points

Here is the link to purchase the Cambria Pinot Noir from the LCBO and Francos Liqour Store .