y3 Taureau Red Blend – Sustainable
Earlier vintage: 91 Jeb Dunnuck: “The 2018 Red Blend Y3 Taureau checks in as a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. Dense purple, with notes of ripe blackcurrants, black cherries, chocolate, violets, and spice, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, no hard edges, and a lengthy, clean finish. It’s a smoking value from Napa Valley that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 4-6 years.”
In 1993, David Jackson purchased a small but exceptional dry-farmed vineyard in northern Calistoga. Shortly after, his son Trent was inspired to join the new family business and build on his father’s dream. Trent produced and bottled his first vintage in his San Francisco garage and then hired consulting winemaker Kirk Venge to lead the way. Locals started to hear about this winery and started buying up the super-limited production of their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
In 2002, Trent’s sister unhesitatingly jumped on board and put the wines in the hands of San Francisco and New York restaurateurs, much to the pleasure of sommeliers and guests alike. Expanding from their single vineyard, family-owned Cabs, the Y3 series allows them to utilize venerable winemaker Kirk Venge’s access to premium Napa fruit of prodigious quality, and expand their portfolio to other varieties.
Jax Vineyards goal is to produce wines of great value that accurately reflect their varietal nature. The Y3 symbol was the brand at her grandfather’s cattle farm and is a testament to their dedication to family-owned, farmed lands and the purest expression of vines and their soil.
The name “Taureau” was the name of the Jackson family’s prized bull, legendary for his feisty, high-kicking and vibrant personality. When perfecting this wine at their blending session, the JAX team concurred that the complex personality of their infamous bull reflected the complex structure and elements of this indulgent red blend and what a perfect tribute to their family ranching legend. Reflecting the dominating character of Taureau, this wine boasts incredible purple fruit colors, flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and red on the palate, and all supported by polished tannins.
Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc