Jade Mountain Vineyard

California-grown, Rhone-style red blends are slowly but steadily catching on in this country, which is a great thing. Syrah, Grenach, Carignan, Mourvedre, Counoise and the rest happen to be eminently cordial blending partners, which the French have profited from for centuries. They also grow well in California. This wine was new to me, and my initial reaction was one of total delight: I could smell each of the grapes in the blend, and each one was playing its role to perfection.

The Mourvedre lays down an earthy, leathery foundation; the Syrah is all luscious dark berries, and the Grenache bridges them with spicy plums. In your mouth this is no warm and breezy French summer day but a ripe, concentrated California red with plenty of oak. So if you’re a die-hard real Rhone fan you may find this a tad too done up. Everyone else should find abundant authentic Mediterranean qualities in a full-flavored, richly satisfying California red.

Reviewed April 18, 2007 by Thom Elkjer.