New Reata Releases from Jamieson Ranch Reviewed

Reata is the core popular brand produced by Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, an estate located at the southern end of Napa Valley. The ranch has changed hands a couple of times over the past decade or so. For a few years it was owned by the very well respected wine executive Bill Liegon, who began a massive re-planting of the property. In 2017, Jamieson Ranch was sold to WX Brands (Tangent, Zocker, Chronic, etc..), and CEO Peter Byck brought on veteran winemaker Linda Trotta to make the wines starting with the 2017 vintage. Trotta had worked for many years at Gundlach-Bundschu, so you may well have had her solid wines. All three of these wines were made by Linda Trotta, and though they're not estate bottled wines, they're pretty solid. I'd expect to see more estate-bottled wines from Jamieson Ranch as the recently planted vineyards mature in coming years. 

Reata 2018 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($20) Culled from grapes grown in Russian River Valley and Los Carneros, this fairly-priced, medium-weight Chardonnay has hay and green-gold hues and a restrained nose of lime blossom and white peach. There's a pleasing tautness to it that you don't always find in California Chardonnay. Only half of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, and I think the stirring of the wine on the lees has given it a wiry, flinty, almost saline hint of reduction. It's not an oaky chardonnay, and it will probably appeal quite a bit to fans of French Chardonnay from Burgundy. It should develop nicely over the next year, and might even improve. (90 Points)

Reata 2017 "Three County" Monterey / Sonoma / San Benito Co. Pinot Noir ($21) This pleasant, varietally-correct Pinot Noir has pretty berry and cherry flavors and is well balanced. It's a terrific value, but because it's made from grapes culled from three different locales around California, it kind of lacks a sense of place and a strong personality. That said, at this price point, it's a solid value. (88 Points) 

Reata 2019 "Silver Spur" Lake County Sauvignon Blanc ($19) Lake County, just north of Napa Valley, is a great, dependable source of Sauvignon Blanc. I'm not surprised that a veteran winemaker like Linda Trotta looked to Lake County for Reata's SB. It's very much in a sunny, plump California style with passion fruit, grapefruit, apple and grass notes, no obvious oak, and a fresh, zesty finish. It's easy to appreciate and a lovely summer white with lighter fare like seafood crudos, ceviches and salads. (91 Points)