2023 Jazz Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Jordan Oaks Vineyard
The Winery
The origin of the word “jazz” is as varied as the music being played today called jazz. Perhaps the best origin is from the slang “jasm” from around 1860 which meant “energy, vitality, and spirit”. That seems to capture the essence of music referred to as jazz. That is how the two owners of Jazz Cellars have composed their wines. On a recent re-visit based on an invite by Joe and Bob, I visited Murphys and ventured to taste one of the wines that I have previous enjoyed, their Pinot Noir and a few others.
First a quick background on the two owners/composers of Jazz Cellars. Bob Smith and Joe Lazzara are both neighbors, musicians and high tech folks who shared a vision of producing great wine. They started and are still headquartered in Foster City. They had been using a well know facility in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco to create their master pieces prior to 2020. Currently they are now making their wines in Murphys. The tasting room is located in Murphys California in the lower Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The unique aspect of Jazz Cellars is that they search and find the “right terroir” in order to produce award winning wines. At last count they had accumulated well over 100 awards in a very short period of time, without a dedicated vineyard! No small feat.
So while in Murphys (Calaveras AVA), I stopped by to taste their wines as it had been some time since I had visited. They are located 100 feet down a side alley off Main Street. The wines being served that day did include several using “Calaveras County” grapes. While stopping for one wine, I ended up sampling four wines and was very much impressed with each varietal offered.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the wines purchased was this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, thinking it would be a beautiful wine to be consumed this summer. So last evening, being a warm evening and having acquired some fresh jumbo shrimp, this was the chosen wine. First on the eyes a very pale yellow hue and light viscosity. On the nose, various tropical notes including pineapple. Once tasting it, the expectations of a very “New Zealand” style Sauvignon Blanc were much pushed aside. Yes lemon zest and citrus were very present but downplayed on the taste. It was crisp and clean and with a modicum of sweetness. The finish was pleasantly medium long and enjoyable.
The wine possesses a 14.1% alcohol and goes for $28/bottle. What made this wine perfectly enjoyable was the food pairing!
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
Having picked up some fresh jumbo shrimp and having a spicy red cocktail sauce (even added some Tabasco) the shrimp when dipped was spicy and tangy. The cool and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc counterbalanced and smoothed out the zesty cocktail sauce. A more traditional “New Zealand” full on citrus Sauvignon Blanc would have been “drowned out” by the sauce. Here the Jazz Cellars provided “coolness and calm” to the meal. An excellent food and wine pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael