Jonive Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, USA 2021

With the launch of Jonive, the Underwood family is writing the next chapter in their long history in the wine business. The Underwoods are the owners of Young’s Holdings, one of America’s oldest continuously operated family-owned businesses. Originally established as Young’s Market Company in 1888, and expanding over decades to grocery, soda bottling, meat, and seafood wholesale, and ultimately alcohol beverage wholesale, Young’s Holdings is now in its fifth generation of family leadership with a passion and focus on fine wine. The founding of Jonive marks an exciting evolution for the family, in establishing estate-grown wines of exceptional quality.

Jonive’s Moon Dust Vineyard is nested within the Sebastopol Hills in the coolest area of the Russian River Valley, home to rare and desirable Goldridge soils. First planted to vines in 1998, the vineyard consists of four pristine acres of Chardonnay, comprising two individual clones across two blocks. In 2007, the vineyard was expanded to comprise an additional 11 acres of Pinot Noir, planted to 6 distinct Pinot Noir clones. Jonive is a true reflection of vine maturity, organic farming, high-quality soil, and a world-class microclimate.

Tasting Notes

The wine has a typical light straw color and complex aromas of lemongrass, nutmeg, Meyer lemon, fresh oregano, and a touch of passionfruit. This Chardonnay has an enveloping mouthfeel that is at once crisp and linear as well as rich and expansive, a very unusual and beguiling combination of textures and mouthfeel. The browning of clone 17 enables the wine to be rich, but at a lower alcohol, and clone 95 contributes beautifully fresh acidity. The palate shows jasmine, honeydew melon, tarragon, lime, and lemongrass with a nice kiss of high-quality French oak. The extended lees contact gives the wine amazing length, energy, and vitality.