Kendall-Jackson 1999 Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay Tasting

[kellysuea]

Okay, so here is the thread for your notes.
The books say we should comment on the appearance first, like the color and clarity of the wine. Then comment on the aromas that you may detect (I think i've got a dead nose!)and finally what you actually think of the taste of the wine. Other things like what food is best with it, and your recommenation on the wine, (as in the numbered system) on the original thread.
The original thread in "virtual wine tasting" if you're not sure what I'm talking about here! Happy sipping everyone!

BTW - if we have any experienced "tasters" in the group, feel free to guide us along here!!

[This message has been edited by kellysuea (edited 01-19-2001).]

[pammy]

I wouldn't call myself an "expert", but my husband and I spent a week in Sonoma & Napa tasting wine & wonderful food this summer. You want to make sure that the wine is the right temperature, a chardonnay can be slightly cooler than room temperature, but you don't want it to be fresh-from-the-fridge cold. Otherwise, you will not taste some of the more complex flavors in the wine (i.e. the vanillas, butterscotch, melon, oak, etc. flavors which may be found in a chardonnay). Before you check the "nose", swirl the glass around a bit to loosen up the wine. This actually does allow the wine to breathe a bit and open up. Quite frankly, I think I have a dead nose, too. Wine smells like wine, unless you get a bad bottle, then it smells like mildew. Keep in mind that chardonnay really is difficult to pair with food. Too bad canteloupe is out of season, it tastes wonderful with chardonnay. So does fresh roasted corn on the cob. So maybe try it with something savory-sweet, like a butternut squash dish, etc. Or throw caution to the wind and have it with a beef dish! The best advise that we got from professional winemakers who we spoke with this past summer is to have fun and drink the wine you like, not what is most expensive or best reviewed. They are right, one of our favorite wines right now is Australian Shiraz, most bottles range between $8 - 13.

Anyway, I ramble (I get that way about food & wine). What is the rating # scale to use? 1-10, 10 being best? Let us all know!!

[kellysuea]

So here goes...!
I had my first glass of this at home before going out to dinner. It tasted good but I really couldn't figure out any aromas.Then we went to the restaurant and I ordered another glass of it, and it was so much better! I figured out that the glass at home was served way too cold, which I read this morning completely screws up the aroma. The second glass I could definitely smell the oak but couldn't identify much else. But it was yummy just the same! I will definitely buy this wine again. I hope some of you more experienced tasters can help us distinguish what other things we should be detecting. Also, I had a shrimp stir fry with the wine and it seemed to go fine...

[This message has been edited by kellysuea (edited 01-21-2001).]

[LGBurns]

Thanks for posting this--it's a great idea! I just saw this so I haven't tried the chardonnay yet, but I wanted to give another tasting tip. Slurping the wine really helps bring out the flavor. Gather your sip of wine in a pool on the top of your tongue and then suck air in through your two front teeth to make a sort of bubbling slurp (as you do this sort of press the tip of your tongue against the back of your teeth). The air bubbles help the aroma and flavors of the wine get up in your nose (which is where your more complex tastes develop). When my husband and I discovered this little trick, we started to slurp everything by habit (water, orange juice, iced tea)--it got pretty hilarious.

[Laura]

I was unable to find the 99 vintage reserve so I got the 98. I enjoyed this but for my taste it was a little to fruity. I like Chardonnay's that have a strong oak base and this one seemed to have more fruit. Now have you guessed from my critique that I am not a true conniesseur of wine and just know what I like? Anyway, I did think it was an enjoyable wine and would buy it again.

[lanie]

Just had to reply to Laura's liking of the strong oaky taste - personally, I love the Aussie Lindeman's Bin 65 - it is unbelievable oaky - another good one is again an Aussie one Wolfe Blass - a little more expensive but well worth it. I live in Toronto and the Bin 65 is $10.25 and I think the Wolfe Blass is $15 and change. Just my opinion! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
lanie

[Peggy]

Greetings, Fellow Wine Tasters! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif

We decided to participate with this first tasting, mainly because we had a bottle of this wine in the wine cellar. Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay is a consistently good and reliable wine so we always keep a few bottles "in stock".

Below are our tasting comments:

Aroma: scent of green apples, crisp

Flavor: medium bodied, light on the oak, hints of pears, pleasant, smooth finish

Additional Comments: A very enjoyable Chardonnay with wide appeal.

Peggy

[lindrusso]

I'm sort of a like it or don't like it reviewer, so I have no notes about clarity, aroma, etc. Maybe some day I'll delve into all that, but for now, the thumbs up or down method works for me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif .

Kendall Jackson is one of our favorite "affordable" wines. Sam's Club carries it for $8.99 - a bargain for any wine but especially since many of the local liquor stores carry it for $13.99 (when not on sale)!

I think it would be interesting if everyone included what price they paid - that way we'd be better aware of when we're getting a real bargain!

[Laura]

Originally posted by lindrusso:

I think it would be interesting if everyone included what price they paid - that way we'd be better aware of when we're getting a real bargain!

I think I paid $10.95 at the liquor store near by; I believe that was a sale price though.

[ChrisF]

We purchased our K-J '99 Vintage Reserve at a local Safeway for $12.99. Very enjoyable, balanced wine. I told a friend about our virtual tasting, and she remarked "oh, you *loved* that Chardonnay, remember?" uhhh, no... I guess I had it at a graduation party last June, but didn't pay much attention to the label I was imbibing. One of my 2001 goals is to start an informal wine notebook of the year's memorable bottles.....my friend's comment certainly validates that I need help with memory recall!
We loved the clear golden color of this wine--with the faintest hint of green. Even this aroma-challenged nose was able to enjoy the scent of apples. The only problem with white wine in our house is having my husband get it *out* of the refrigerator to warm up a bit.
pammy: Shiraz is no.1 on our current hit parade-- our Costco has Rosemont (Rosemount?)-excellent for around $10, and we also really like Black Opal.
Salud!
Chris

[SusieO]

I bought my bottle at the grocery store (Publix) for $10.99. I drank one glass on Saturday and did not care for it. Then I read Pammy's post about temperature and tried again, pouring the wine about an hour before I drank it. What a difference!

I know very little about wine, or reviewing wine. I'm just graduating from $4 bottles of white zinfandel. I did enjoy this wine, and thought it was probably most enjoyable on its own rather than paired with food. A nice before-dinner drink (or while-you're-cooking-dinner drink http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif).

[This message has been edited by SusieO (edited 01-22-2001).]

[Denise]

About how much has everyone paid for their bottle of Kendall Jackson?

[venus]

I hope I'm not too late for this, but I didn't have time to post yesterday.

I also couldn't find the '99 so I had the 98. It was decent. I am not a big chardonnay fan, but this one was pretty good. I would put it on my "drink a glass while out" list. I did like the fruit in it--I definitely thought peaches and pears, and the lack of oak flavor was a nice change from some heavier chardonnays.

[phantomcg]

Ok, well I'm far from being a wine expert (in our family, that would be my husband) but I would like to add that I really did like this wine. I usually am not that fond of Chardonnay's but I would buy this one again. I drank it after dinner and, this may sound strange, but I remember thinking that it would be good with a fairly strong tasting cheese. After reading the comment about not drinking chardonnay's straight from the fridge, I may try some others as well. I poured the glass of this on and I know it sat for a good 15 minutes before I finally sat down and took a sip.

I paid $10.79 for my bottle and that was a sale price (originally $13.50 or so).

Cheryl

[kellysuea]

See, I've learned a couple of things already in just one week! I also tried the 98 and was so surprised how different the 98 was from the 99. The 98 was too fruity for my taste and not enough of the oak that I like. So now on my list to try are the more oaky wines from Australia mentioned earlier.
By the way, someone needs to be thinking of the next wine and post it on Friday...can't wait for the next one!

[SusieO]

I think a red wine would be good this week. Maybe a Chilean Merlot or Australian Shiraz?

[lanie]

Before this thread disappears, I just had to tell you - to my shock - having just come back from the LCBO - the Kendall-Jackson 1998 sells for $22.95 a bottle - I cannot believe the prices here!

Pardon my 'dumb' reply earlier, I jumped in without knowing what was going on (have been away) hence, the 'oaky' reply. I did not buy the K-J at that price. Looking forward to this week's choice.

[kellysuea]

Could someone please pick a wine for this week... I'm going to be traveling for the next week, so probably will not be able to participate but still want to read all your notes when I get back. Have fun!

[Laura]

Just had another glass of this last night. I decided once again it is too fruity for my taste. I am intersted in trying the '99 to see if I like it better. I second the idea of a red for this week. One that I have heard a lot about is the Rabbit Ridge Zinfindal. I know it is a small winery and may not be available all over. Maybe I will try and find a bottle and try it out first. I am open to any kind of suggestion. I like the idea of keeping the prices reasonable (Definitely under $20 and preferably $15 in my book)

[pammy]

lanie,

Are you in PA? I also would not pay that ridiculous price for the 98 K-J (but I did buy the Lindeman's Bin 65 that someone mentioned, having it tonight).

Laura,

I have had the Rabbit Ridge Zin before and it is pretty good. Also, seems widely available (if they have it in PA State Stores, it has got to be readily available elsewhere!) and it is reasonably priced (as I recall $10-12). I say we go for it with the Rabbit Ridge Red Zinfandel. Everyone should probably try to pick up the most recent vintage.

[SusanL]

I couldn't find the Kendall Jackson 1999 Vintage Reserve at our PA State Store, but found the 1998, did not buy it! Thank you for the previous posts, I will pass and keep this wine in my purse to pick up when I see it. Are we on for the Rabbit Ridge Zin? Hopefully we can find it at our WONDERFUL PA STATE STORE! I think that they are beginning to hate me, however; the clerk was willing to open 4 cases of wine to see if any were the 1999 vintage but she saw on the cartons they were all 1998. She asked if I would be back next week http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

[Laura]

I say let's go for the Rabbit Ridge. Sorry to be so forceful on this but it is the weekend and I am looking forward to trying this. For anyone who has tried this, is there a particular year we are looking for?

[lanie]

Pammy - I am in Toronto - which is even worse - unbelievable prices here - also - I was the Lindemans Bin 65 advocate - I LOVEEEEEE IT! If you like oaky - you will really enjoy - from reading the above, I am doing it all wrong - I like very cold white wine poured into a glass right out of the freezer - so wonderful!

Ok - so are we set for Rabbit Ridge? Where is it from? This is so much fun!
Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Laura]

Originally posted by lanie:

Ok - so are we set for Rabbit Ridge? Where is it from? This is so much fun!
Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif



Rabbit Ridge is from Napa I believe. I don't think it is a large winery, but I have heard very good things about its zinfindael (I know I am spelling that incorrectly, but after I buy it I'll know how to spell it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

[Gail]

Originally posted by Laura:
Rabbit Ridge is from Napa I believe. I don't think it is a large winery, but I have heard very good things about its zinfindael (I know I am spelling that incorrectly, but after I buy it I'll know how to spell it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)



Hi guys,

Just to fill in the blanks, Rabbit Ridge is actually in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma county. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lanie]

wrong posting place!

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 01-27-2001).]