JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset Reviews

This is made from 80% Pinot Noir, the remainder Chardonnay, both coming from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of the appellation. Inviting in wild strawberry, it is dry and stony and exuberant in earthy mineral aspects of crushed rock and dried herb.

Notably smoky and toasty, with a strong yet integrated oak presence joining a chorus of blackberry, black licorice, dried herb and cedar flavors, ending with a chewy lead pencil edge. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

Aromas of plum and orange. Tea leaf. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a hints of smoke. Drink now or hold.

A solid pinot with dried berry and walnut character. Hints of cedar. Full and juicy. Tannic. Muscular. Needs two or three years to soften.

The 2014 Chardonnay No. 33 has pineapple, green mango and yuzu zest notes with suggestions of toasted almonds, croissant and orange blossoms. Medium-bodied with great finesse and a gorgeous satiny texture, it delivers fantastic flavor intensity with plenty of freshness and minerally persistence.

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

The 2014 Chardonnay No. 81 is scented of ripe apples and peaches with hints of cedar, baking bread, marzipan and ginger. Medium to full-bodied and silken textured, it offers a great concentration of clean, ripe stone fruit flavors with some savory characters coming thorough on the long finish.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No. 1, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottled unfined and unfiltered after spending 19 months in 65% new French oak, has an opaque purple color, a glorious nose of graphite, blackberry, licorice, incense, Asian spice and white chocolate. The wine has great fruit on the attack, an opulent, full-bodied, multi-tiered mouthfeel and a layered, pure finish of a good 45+ seconds. It is a brilliant wine and will drink well for up to 20 or more years.

An addition to the worldwide JCB brand, produced by the Boisset family of Burgundy, this feels rich and sumptuous, full of ripe red fruits and juicy plums. It is also balanced and well structured. Drink this wine with food. —R.V.