This is a barrel selection from J’s various vineyards throughout the valley. It’s drier, leaner and tarter than many other local bottlings, meaning the wine has an elegance that makes it enormously food friendly. Shows a lovely complex of raspberry and cherry tart and blueberry pie flavors, with the smoky, buttery crust. Drink now–2014.——S.H.(2/1/2011)—— 93

It’s a barrel selection from J’s Russian River vineyards. New oak stands out, offering smoky, caramelly notes, but there’s an enormous core of blackberries, cherries and raspberries that just wants some time to emerge. Give this dry, tight wine 3–4 years in the cellar.——S.H.(12/31/2009)—— 93