Press Room

JCB Passion Reviews

Score: 95 | February 26, 2021 | The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Passion is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot coming from vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with a compelling perfume of Morello cherries, red and black currant jelly, preserved plums and rose oil, plus hints of cardamom, Chinese five spice and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is rich and voluptuous, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lots of layers and epic length. 296 cases were made.

Score: 93 | January 1, 2021 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Passion offers up tons of inky dark fruit. The tannins are a bit angular at this stage, so I would cellar the 2018 for at least a year or two. Everything is dialed up here, meaning the fruit, but also the tannins. Dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 93+ | January 27, 2021 | JebDunnuck.com

Smoky black fruits, tobacco, and coffee bean notes emerge from the 2018 Passion Red Blend, another rich yet elegant wine from winemaker Stephanie Putnam. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness as well as the purity and freshness that are the hallmark of the vintage, it should evolve nicely for 2-4 years and keep for over a decade. The blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all aged in 35% new French oak.