Wine
Wine: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay Grape: Chardonnay Region: California Vintage: 1994 Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery is one of the great success of recent years. From modest beginnings in the early 1980s, former lawyer Jess Jackson has built up quite an empire, with current production is heading towards two million cases per year.
The winery has state-of-the-art technology and Jackson has purchased a barrel-making operation in France to ensure quality oak barrels at a low cost.
Unlike most fine wines produced in California, Kendall-Jackson blends grapes from all major regions, including Mendicino, Sonoma, Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara and Lake counties. This ensures a uniform style for the wine each year.
The main key to Kendall-Jacksons success is Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, which is one of California's most popular wines. Barrel fermentation, secondary malolactic fermentation and ageing on the lees in French and American oak barrels all help to produce a soft, round elegant wine which has just a touch of sweetness.
This wine will go well with pasta and chicken dishes. Kendall-Jackson also produces a Proprietor's Grand Reserve Chardonnay, which is bigger and richer in style.
Where To Buy: Direct from the importer Force 8 Cellars (Tel: 2527-6217) at $208 per bottle or from retail wine outlets, Decanter, Pacific Cellars and Oliver's. The Grand Reserve Chardonnay is $323 per bottle.
