2020 Jessie’s Grove Winery Alicante Bouschet – Sunset Double Gold Winner
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Jessie’s Grove Winery and Vineyards is located at 1973 West Turner Road in Lodi, California. The unassuming single lane road leading to the vineyard and tasting room indicates the demeanor of what you are about to experience—understated, homey and it brings one back to the “casual family element” of the winery. Jessie’s Grove is the site for the oldest producing Zinfandel vines in the Lodi Appellation. It is named for Jessie Spenker, daughter of Joseph and Anna Spenker, who founded the ranch and land in 1868. The property is 320 acres with 265 acres planted in vineyards. The Zinfandel vines were planted in 1888 and are still producing an incredible ancient Zinfandel wine. Here on the plot of land between highway 5 and highway 99 on West Turner Road is the home of a host of varietals- some unique, some traditional but all exceptional.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I recently visited the winery in July and was hosted by owner Greg Burns and winemaker Tana Cole. The addition of a fully functioning outdoor bar to host customers wine tasting is a great addition.
They are keeping their historic charm, yet updating the complete facility. One of the newest additions is a massive flower area planted by Oak Grove Flower Company featuring rows and rows of Dahlias in every color and variation possible!
The Wine 2020 Jessie’s Grove Alicante Bouschet – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
What is Alicante Bouschet wine? This wine is from a science experiment in the mid-1800’s by botanist Henri Bouschet by crossing a fruity Grenache with a Teinturier grape. The goal was to create a deep intense color with high productivity and fruitiness. The grape has a red flesh color and typically makes big and juicy bold red wines. A typical Alicante Bouschet has lots of fruit, a heavy body, strong tannins, mid-acidity and high alcohol percentage. Alicante Bouschet enjoys warm sunny climates and it is a natural for the Lodi Appellation. Today .1% of California wine grapes are Alicante Bouschet, yet its popularity for “cult wine aficionados” is starting to grow.
Jessie’s Grove Winery recently won Double Gold Medals at the Sunset International Wine Competition for this wine and scored 96 points!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes this is a deep ruby red coloring and heavy viscosity. On the nose, dark fruits fill the olfactory senses. Once on the palate, the fruit forward flavors abound with a jammy characteristic but not “super sweetness” of blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry. Secondary flavors of spice of vanilla and hint of sweet pipe tobacco appear. On the finish strong tannins provide notice this is a bold grippy wine on the roof of mouth and teeth. The tannins while present and strong are kept in check with the fruit of this wine. The wine is listed at $32/bottle and is 14.3% alcohol. Only 150 barrels produced in 2020. Barrel treatment was 5% new French oak and balance neutral French oak barrels. The next vintage release will be the 2022. They are aging it 24 months and will most likely be available in December 2024.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled this wine to go with a beef and broccoli stir fry dinner. The ingredients included: ginger root, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, low sodium soy sauce, canola oil and broccoli. Also added some Arbol chili pod slices with seeds removed and brown rice. The wine held up great to both the beef and soy sauce and the jammy flavors of the wine provided some welcome relief from the spice of the ingredients.
This Alicante Bouschet just made my list of Best Wines Tasted in the calendar year. Final results will be out in mid-December.
Sláinte,
Michael