INSIDER'S PICK: 2015 JAX VINEYARDS Y3 SERIES 'TAUREAU' RED BLEND NAPA VALLEY (Wine Advocate 90points)

Customers browsing the Californian section of the store will notice a liberal splashing of Jax Vineyards labels that recently arrived. It's unusual for us to get multiple wines into our store in such a broad spread of price points and varieties, but the quality we found in our first tastings forced us to bring in their Chardonnay, Rose, Russian River Pinot Noir, Nap Cabernet Sauvignon, this Napa Red Blend, and a soon to arrive Napa Sauvignon Blanc. Though relatively unknown, this family owned producer works some outstanding sites across  Northern California, including their home property in Calistoga where most of this wine is sourced. The 'Y3' label is their value oriented lineup, named in reference to the family cattle ranch, and the Taureau Red pays homage to the farm's prized bull.

Primarily Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with splashes of Syrah and Zinfandel, the modern styled red is full of black fruits, currants, and dark spices with a slight touch of vanilla from the oak, but not oppressive or intrusive. On the palate the fruit walks the fine line between the tannin of more classic Bordeaux blends and the jammier up-front sweetness that often plagues lesser versions of wines like this. Impressively rich for the price point, this is an ideal wine for a Californian fan that wants to 'drink big', but not 'spend big'.

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