Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir is a 750mL red wine from California — 100% Pinot Noir in every documented vintage, blended from cool coastal vineyards on benchlands, rolling hillsides and mountain tops, where small, densely flavoured grapes are the goal. Monterey County is the largest county share in every documented blend (30–59% by vintage), with Sonoma, Mendocino and Santa Barbara fruit completing the cuvée, and the lots are kept separate until final blending. The listing carries no vintage and the strength varies by year — winery sheets document 14.3% to 14.7% — with ageing of 8 to 11 months in French oak (nearly all French, a minority new). It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 14.3–14.7% by vintage (winery sheets; 2024 conflicts at 14.3% WIS vs 14.5% kj.com — see flag)
- Size: 750mL
- Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir (every documented vintage)
- Sourcing: Cool coastal California; Monterey County always the largest share, with Sonoma, Mendocino and Santa Barbara
- Winemaking: Lots kept separate until blending; 8–11 months in French oak (minority new) by vintage
- Producer: Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, Santa Rosa, CA
Coastal Pinot, Blended County by County
The winery's vintage sheets read like a map of coastal Pinot Noir: Monterey for floral nuance and ripe strawberry, raspberry and blackberry; Anderson Valley in Mendocino for dark cherry and structure; Santa Barbara and Santa Maria for ocean-influenced acidity. Blending across those counties lets Kendall-Jackson hold the style — bright red fruit, gentle earth, soft oak toast — steady from year to year even as the percentages move. Shop it via the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates vendor page or the red wine shelf.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Dark garnet in the glass; bright cherry, strawberry and raspberry (winery notes). Palate: Elegant earthy notes with cola and mild spice over soft, silky tannin. Finish: A vanilla hint and soft toast from the oak.
How to Enjoy
Serve at 50–55°F, per the winery. The winery suggests filet mignon, charcuterie and grilled sausages; salmon and mushroom dishes are classic Pinot matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABV? It varies by vintage: winery tech sheets document 14.3% to 14.7% across recent years. The bottle's label gives the exact figure.
Is it 100% Pinot Noir? Yes — every winery information sheet checked (2019–2024) lists the composition as 100% Pinot Noir.
How is it aged? In French oak — nearly entirely French, with a minority of new barrels — for 8 to 11 months depending on the vintage.
Coastal Pinot with the Kendall-Jackson polish — find Vintner's Reserve Pinot Noir at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.