Press Room

JCB Passion Reviews

Score: 92 | October 31, 2022 | Wine Spectator

This sports a toasty edge, but there's a good gush of warmed cassis and steeped plum behind that, while the finish offers a lush, flattering feel as it picks up licorice and fruitcake hints. Drink now through 2032. 1,580 cases made.

Score: 92 | June 8, 2022 | JamesSuckling.com

Aromas of red currant, ripe red cherry and crushed thyme. Medium bodied with silky tannins. Lovely bright acidity and fresh character on the palate. Refreshing finish. Drink now.

Score: 94 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Passion is another brilliant value and possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée to date. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, from a mix of vineyards, it’s a full-bodied, round, straight-up sexy red that has lots of black fruits as well as notes of leafy herbs, chocolate, and earth.

Score: 91-93 | January 1, 2022 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Passion is a racy, voluptuous Napa Valley offering from Jean-Charles Boisset. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, white chocolate and new oak are all kicked up in this exuberant, full-throttle red. Passion is not a shy wine, but it certainly delivers the goods.

--Antonio Galloni

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: 95 | July 9, 2021 | Decanter

This 100% Pinot Noir from Los Carneros was ages 28 months on the lees, originally bottled to capture the brilliance and longevity of the 2013 vintage. After eight years, it shows elegant, fine, beading...

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.

Score: 94 | October 29, 2018 | Wine Advocate

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 56% new French oak, the 2016 JCB Passion Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored with lovely red currants, kirsch, black cherries and mulberries scents with hints of pencil lead, cigar box, underbrush and moss. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, flamboyant and lively with a velvety frame, finishing long and earthy. 683 cases produced.

Score: Double Gold | January 30, 2018 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 94 | December 29, 2017 | Wine Advocate

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 JCB Passion Proprietary Red opens with a crème de cassis, char-grilled meat, garrigue and sautéed herbs-scented nose with notions of Indian spices, pepper and potpourri plus a touch of yeast extract. The medium-bodied palate is elegant, fresh, floral and finely textured, finishing long with some spices coming through. 1,468 cases were made.

Score: 90 | March 2, 2017 | Planet Grape

Exuberantly fruity and firm in its youth with notes of cherry cola, mushroom & sausage pizza, cedar, toast and vanilla. 

Score: Double Gold | February 17, 2017 | Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2017
Score: Gold | January 19, 2017 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 95 | October 26, 2016 | The Wine Advocate

The 2014 Proprietary Red Passion, which spent 17 months in 42% French oak and is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, exhibits a complex, fragrant nose of unsmoked cigar tobacco, chocolate, camphor, vanillin and oodles of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. It is long, rich, sensual, lush and best consumed over the next 12-15+ years.