Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/12827
Julia’s Vineyard is located at Cambria Winery in the Santa Maria Valley, but its grapes are also sold to several other top-notch producers. Julia versus Julia A Tasting of Pinot Noirs From Julia’s Vineyard IT CAN BE FASCINATING TO OBSERVE the stylistic differences between wines from the same year and the same vineyard, made by different winemakers. Every year for the past eight vintages, just such an opportunity has been offered by Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson when they bring together the vintners who make Pinot Noir from their Julia’s Vineyard in Santa Maria. Named for the Jacksons’ daughter, this sought-after vineyard is planted to the Pommard clone. In 2007 and 2008 it was made into wine by six wineries with six distinct and personal winemaking styles. These lovely wines were accompanied by three library wines that demonstrate that Julia’s Vineyard wines also age quite gracefully. Here are my tasting notes: bright and fresh with restrained fruit; lively balanced and long. JACKSON FAMILY VINEYARDS Lane Tanner 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($36) Lane Tanner, winemaker Juicy and lively with tangy and pretty red fruit; fresh and racy. 90 92 93 93 proprietor Meaty and dense; ripe and rich with fleshy flavors; vanilla with some green. winemakers Juicy and bright with dark black cherry; rich with long acid structure; creamy with vanilla. 88 93 july 2010 / the tasting panel / 43 Foxen 2008 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($56) Bill Wathen & Dick Doré, Bonaccorsi 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($55) Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi, Cambria 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($25) Denise Shurtleff, winemaker Juicy and fresh; lovely red fruit; generous and ripe; lush and tangy. JACKSON FAMILY VINEYARDS Hitching Post 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($42) Frank Ostini, winemaker Juicy and bright with sweet oak and silky texture; rich and dense; elegant and long. Byron 2007 Pinot Noir, Julia’s Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($40) Jonathan Nagy, winemaker Smooth,