A Taste of PlumpJack

PLUMPJACK RESERVE

Chardonnay

NAPA VALLEY | 2021

VINTAGE

In 2021, we received about one-third of our average rainfall, and it showed in the vineyards. The vines were stressed, and yields were extremely low. While this isn’t good for business, it’s great for wine quality. The grapes were small, and flavors were highly concentrated, which allowed us to craft wines of great intensity and depth. And with the deft hands of our winemaking team, we were able to maintain focus, precision, elegance, and beauty in these wines.

VINEYARDS

Our Chardonnay grapes are grown in two vineyards in the Napa Valley—one in Los Carneros and the other in St. Helena. Just 30 miles apart, Los Carneros can be 10-15°F cooler than St. Helena. Due to the temperature and other essential differences, such as soil type, these two vineyard sites vary significantly in character and expression. When blended, these differences in expression add layer upon layer of flavor to the nose and palate, creating a beautiful and complex Chardonnay.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

The 2021 PlumpJack Reserve Chardonnay boasts baked pear and apple with tropical kiwi, lychee, and melon notes, complemented by delicate aromas of white peach and honeysuckle to shine through. The palate has ample weight and a creaminess reminiscent of a lemon curd, which is beautifully balanced by a bright and lively acidity that lends this wine it’s energy and length.

BY THE NUMBERS

BOTTLE $58

PRODUCTION 3,254 cases

ALCOHOL 14.2%

VARIETALS 100% Chardonnay

WINEMAKER, PLUMPJACK ESTATE WINERY

AARON MILLER

Cabernet Sauvignon

OAKVILLE | 2019

VINTAGE

Near record rainfall. Late budbreak. Late bloom. Late veraison. Late ripening. For the second consecutive vintage, the key was patience. The vines emerged from their dormancy later than is typical and they reached all their milestones later as well. As in 2018, it seemed the grapes would never ripen. So, we waited. Then, in early October, everything changed. The flavors in the grapes grew deeper and richer, the skins began to grow thinner, the tannin became less astringent, and the color of the grapes was more easily extracted from the skins. Our patience paid off and the resulting wines are stunning.

VINEYARDS

The grapes were cold soaked for 4-6 days to coax out color while maintaining velvety tannin, then fermented up to 94°F. The wines were drained off skins after maceration of 9-12 days, then racked to barrel to undergo malolactic fermentation and aging. This wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, 73% new. The coopers used were Sylvain, Taransaud, Cavin, and Nadalie. The cooperage is a blend of medium, medium-plus, and heavy toast barrels, adding layers and aromatic complexity. The wine was bottled after 20 months of aging.

WINEMAKER IMPRESSIONS

The nose of the 2019 PlumpJack Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with juicy, fruity aromas that mingle with notes of cardamom, cinnamon, molasses, damp earth, iron, and sage. The palate has a gorgeous, silky entry also expressing notes of blackberry, plum, spice, molasses, and sage. The wine is beauti fully structured with finely integrated, velvety tannin, and finishes exceptionally long.

BY THE NUMBERS

BOTTLE $168

PRODUCTION

7,672 cases

ALCOHOL 15.4%

89% Cabernet

Sauvignon

VARIETALS

6% Petit Verdot

5% Malbec

CLICK TO ORDER

AARON MILLER WINEMAKER, PLUMPJACK ESTATE WINERY

experience plumpjack

CURRENT RELEASE TASTING

Indulge in a 45-minute seated tasting that unveils the artistry and craftsmanship poured into our current release wines, inviting you to embark on a journey where past and present intertwine.

THE PLUMPJACK EXPERIENCE

Embark on a sensory journey with our renowned PlumpJack Experience and delight in a carefully curated selection of our current release Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. This 60-minute tasting experience offers a glimpse into the art and dedication that goes into creating our celebrated wines.

HILLTOP TASTING

Elevate your experience to new heights with the PlumpJack Hilltop Tasting. Perched atop a picturesque hill, under the shade of oak trees, you’ll be captivated by the panoramic view of our surrounding 42-acre estate vineyard. This intimate 90-minute experience invites you to immerse yourself in the essence of PlumpJack as you savor a guided tasting of our flagship wines.

*Offered May-October, weather permitting

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES

Whether you are looking for an intimate setting to celebrate a special occasion or host a private group tasting, we can tailor the experience to meet your needs. For inquiries, please contact our team at wineryevents@plumpjack.com