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Tasting notes
Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the saturated blackish red-hued 2021 La Joie is classic on the nose with brilliant aromas of graphite, pine needles, delicate menthol, blackcurrants, and violets, becoming even more floral with time in the glass. It’s resonant and explosive on the palate, with a laser-like focus throughout, full body, refreshing acidity, and ripe, youthful tannins that will need time to soften. This is a great, profound wine that is going to last for ages. It has all the components I look for in great wine and is as good as it gets, in my opinion. It’s going to last for decades. 2500 cases were produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
More reviews and scores
So well structured and layered in texture, yet it offers a fine sense of drinkability and freshness despite its muscular character. Amazing layers, finesse, detail and interest in this full-bodied, masterful Bordeaux-style blend based on cabernet sauvignon. Blended in are 14% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot.
The 2021 La Joie is composed of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, and the wine was matured for 16 months in 95% new French oak. It’s exceptionally pure and layered on the nose, its scents of blackcurrant and blueberry accented by tones of lavender and cardamom. The full-bodied palate is effortlessly seamless. It features Goldilocks ripeness, loads of powdery, suede-textured tannins and bursts of mouthwatering acidity. Though its flavors are youthfully coiled, it opens dramatically over several days, and it will be epically long lived in the cellar. 2,500 cases were made.
Composed of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2021 La Joie sports a deep garnet-purple color. It comes galloping out of the glass with energetic notes of fresh red and black currants, mulberries and candied violets, giving way to evocative wafts of cardamom, clove oil, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, delivering taut, muscular black fruit and very firm, finely grained tannins, plus a finely knit line of freshness, finishing long and energetic. It’s tightly wound and will require patience to allow the tertiary characters to blossom. Forget it for 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it over the following 30 years+.
About the producer
The winery was the dream of Jess Jackson, the man who founded the incredibly successful Jackson Family Wines. He, however, wanted to produce truly fine wine in Sonoma County.