Jess Jackson, who passed away last week at the age of 81, founded Kendall Jackson winery in 1982 and soon thereafter began producing one of the top selling Chardonnays in the United States. This family owned winery produces more than 35 different wines under the Kendall Jackson label, in a wide variety of price ranges, including the 2009 Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay which is a bargain at about $13 a bottle. There were several million cases of this Chardonnay produced and it received an 89 point rating from Robert Parker.
The Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is entirely made from grapes that were grown in Kendall Jackson-owned
vineyards. For those who really enjoy a creamy, oaky Chardonnay, all of this wine is barrel-fermented and processed by malolactic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is a process where malic acid is converted to lactic acid during a secondary fermentation. Malic acid tastes of green apples while lactic acid is more buttery and corresponds with the acid contained in milk. Wines that undergo this secondary fermentation will be more toasty, oaky and buttery than those that don’t go through this process.
In contrast, using steel tanks to ferment Chardonnay is a method that seems to be on the rise, not only in California but also in all wine-growing regions around the world. Wines made using this process are commonly referred to as “unoaked” with the difference being a wine that is more fruit forward and refreshing.
Kendall Jackson released a new Chardonnay in 2009 that is named “Avant” and was produced using steel tanks to ferment and age about one third of the wine, with the remainder fermented and aged in oak barrels. The result is a wine that is crisp and clean on the finish, with just a slight bit of oak. The Avant Chardonnay is priced at $14 a bottle and received an 88 rating from Robert Parker.
Whichever style of Chardonnay that you prefer will go pair nicely with stone crabs, but if you want the claws to be fresh -- you better hurry because the season is almost over.
Jim Rawe, a family attorney in Bradenton, is an avid collector of fine wines. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at jimrawe@gmail.com.
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