Jean-Charles Boisset is one of the most impressive men working in the wine industry. His enthusiasm, passion and marketing knowledge of wine is already legendary. So when we heard he had opened an exclusive tasting room south of Raymond in Yountville, we had to check it out. Both Raymond Vineyards and JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset are members of the Boisset Collection. (See below.)
Much like Raymond Vineyards, the eye is dazzled by the layout from the line of designer corkscrews to the golden Tommy gun stand already loaded with a magnum. Fortunately it’s a magnum of wine and I hope the gun doesn’t shoot the wine into the glass. Here it’s all about the numbers. In this case, numbers significant to Jean-Charles that he uses to identify what is unique about each wine. We only tried 5 wines, which was good because we were sorely tempted to get all five but managed to settle on two of them. As you see below, I wasn’t kidding about the Tommy gun.
The first significant number is 6, which in this case was a 2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, aged in French oak for 15 months. Red fruit, earth and lavender on the nose lead to dense black cherry, dense strawberry and silky tannins on the palate with a long elegant finish. This Pinot is in the traditional Burgundy-shaped bottle, midnight black with JCB in gold and the number six just below it. The number six is related to Jean-Charles’ first California Pinot Noir in 2006. But once you try this wine the number six will be significant to you as well.
Do keep in mind he is a Burgundian producer so this grape has special meaning. The Russian River Valley has been known for its quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for quite some time so I was hardly surprised it was the source for this Pinot. It took me all of a moment to realize I had to have this wine.
We also picked up the number 81 2014 Chardonnay, which is Burgundy’s other great grape. This wine is from the Sonoma Coast, one of the best places to grow world-class grapes. The grapes sourced for this wine are Searby Vineyard, Cornerstone Vineyard and Gaps Crown Vineyard, all blended into a luscious wine that will make you rethink Chardonnay. The nose is big with pear-lime, wonderful minerality and citrus elements mixed in with vanilla and mango. Yup, this was the other must-have wine that required only a heartbeat’s pause before saying yes! The number 81 celebrates Jean-Charles’ first visit to California in 1981. I think I’ll celebrate that, too.
I’ve seldom been in a more dangerous tasting room when my palate was crying for something special in a wine. And I’ve seldom been so impressed with the wine, the layout and the glittering boutique that draws one irresistibly into its parlor. OK, you have been forewarned.
JCB Salon with Jim and guests
Boisset Collection:
Beginning in France, Boisset has accumulated an extraordinary group of wineries called the Boisset Collection. Boisset currently has eleven wineries in France, ten in California, six sparkling wine houses and even wineries in both Canada and England. JCB is the latest member of the collection, which takes its place alongside Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery and DeLoach Vineyards in California. The Boisset Collection is for wine lovers who seek quality wines.
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