Joseph Jewell 2009 Pinot Noir Elk Prairie Vineyard - Review

Joseph Jewell
2009 Pinot Noir Elk Prairie Vineyard
Humboldt County, CA

In nouveau fashion, Joseph Jewell was started in a Sonoma County garage in 2006 when friends Micah Joseph Wirth and Adrian Jewell Manspeaker were offered the chance to purchase an impressive selection of Sonoma County Pinot Noir grapes. The label has grown cautiously, adding five more wines from some of the pair's favorite Sonoma and Humboldt County vineyards to the mix. The concept is to create vineyard-specific wines in food-friendly styles. Today in the Joseph Jewell lineup you'll find a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, two Russian River Pinot Noirs and the Elk Prairie Pinot from Humboldt County. The 2009 Elk Prarie offers generous aromas of raspberry and cranberry combined with leather, dust and clove. Bright cranberry acidity and cherry and raspberry fruit dominate on the palate with more earthy notes and a touch of spice toward the finish. Its fine-grain tannins make the wine extremely approachable. Although we would like to have seen it linger a bit longer on the finish, we're impressed with the wine's complex aromas and pleasing acidity on the palate. With its cranberry notes, it is a strong choice for serving with a holiday turkey dinner. Or try it with a roast pork loin and root vegetables, spinach and cheese pie or even lemon biscotti.

Rating: 14/20
Price: $39

Other Pinot Noirs we have tasted
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For more information, see our Joseph Jewell winery profile