J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center ...wines with a lasting impression

I had the pleasure of a private tasting hosted by Kristen Barnhisel at the
J. Lohr Wine Center, near Downtown San Jose.

Kristen's resume reads something like an international wine journal.
Along with a B.A. In Italian Literature, Kristen's winemaking and world experience extends to three continents. Adding to that, she is the ASEV President for 2019-2020.

As J. Lohr's white wine maker, Kristen pours two decades of winemaking into her line of wines.
Her winemaking style is stamped on each of her wines—pleasing mid-palate textures, wines that finish with a lasting impression, and fresh aromatics.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines is quintessential Californian. Founder Jerry Lohr and team have been crafting wines from California fruit for over 50 years. With a focus on sourcing grapes from noteworthy growing regions, wine enthusiasts can enjoy white wines from the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands regions in Monterey County. Or tuck into J. Lohr reds, grown and produced in Paso Robles, as well as Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines produce and bottle all of their wines. That control in the vineyard leads to quality wines. And with bottles ranging from $10-60, there are options for everyone. For J. Lohr's reds and additional selections, visit their site at: (Link.)

For the Wines

• 2018 Flume Crossing, Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco. Its inviting acidity is a testimony to the cool afternoon winds of the Arroyo Seco region. I'm partial to Sauvignon Blanc and this could be a staple in my house.
  

• 2018 Gesture, Limited Release Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles. Produced in a small hand held press, this white wine offers inviting hints of beeswax, minerality, and floral notes.
  

• 2017 Riverstone Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. This budget friendly Chardonnay offers flavors often found in higher end wines. The grapes for this wine were night harvested. Enjoy soft, golden color, hints of stone fruit and Meyer lemon, with soft lingering creamy notes on the end palate.
  

• 2017 October Night Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. The grapes for this wine were hand picked in the early morning. It's a shade sweeter than some Chardonnays and is perfect for weddings and celebrations. Take in the tropical/floral nose, with hints of gardenia and orange, as it ends with a fresh finish.

• 2017 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. Crafted in a Burgundian style with a restrained elegance, Kristen suggests enjoying this wine with halibut or salmon drizzled with a creamy Meyer lemon sauce. Beginning with hand picked grapes, then hand pressed, the juice is aged in select French oak for 14 months.

• 2018 Bay Mist White Riesling, Arroyo Seco. Riesling is one of the first grapes planed by Jerry in 1972. This white wine is a soft balance of ripeness and acidity. Fermented in all-stainless tanks, the honeysuckle, pear, and lychee fruit flavors pair well with Coastal cuisine.
  

As with any fine wine tasting, J. Lohr Wines offers a dessert wine.
2017 Late Harvest White Riesling, Arroyo Seco.
Kristen cleverly called this “the noble rot dessert wine.”
Meaning, the influence of Botrytis on the graves gives this dessert wine beautiful textures as it softly coats the mouth. Flavors of honey, apricot, stone fruits, and marmalade would pair seamlessly with a cheese board, Medjool dates, or semi-sweet chocolate.

From J. Lohr's select vineyards to its savvy and knowledgeable wine staff,
the end results are wines that leave a lasting impression.
With a tasting room in San Jose, and one in Paso Robles,
you're bound to find an opportunity to taste J. Lohr Wines.

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Here's to the wines that start & finish well.
Shondra Savadkohi


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