Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sonoma County Merlot
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot is a 750mL Merlot-led California red from Kendall-Jackson, the Santa Rosa winery Jess Jackson founded as a brand in 1982 and the flagship of Jackson Family Wines. The official tech sheets show a wine that shifts a little with each vintage: the 2019 sheet lists a Sonoma County appellation, a blend of 96% Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, 14.5% ABV and 20 months in French and American oak; the 2023 sheet lists a California appellation (88% Sonoma County fruit), 14.2% ABV, and cold soaking with extended maceration in the cellar. Across those sheets the through-line is constant — black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit in a soft, silky frame. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 14.2–14.5% across the official vintage tech sheets
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Merlot-led California red blend
- Blend: 96% Merlot in the documented 2019 and 2021 sheets, with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and (2021) Malbec in support
- Ageing: 20 months in French (66%) and American (34%) oak — 2019 tech sheet; later sheets do not restate the programme
- Origin: California — Sonoma County appellation on the 2019 sheet; California appellation, 88% Sonoma fruit, on the 2023 sheet
- Producer: Kendall-Jackson, Santa Rosa — brand established 1982 by Jess Jackson; flagship of Jackson Family Wines
The Flagship Tier's Merlot
Vintner's Reserve is where Kendall-Jackson started — the 1982 debut was a Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay — and the Merlot is made the tier's way: coastal California fruit, with Sonoma County's mountain and hillside vineyards contributing black cherry, blackberry and structure and Mendocino fruit adding red-fruit texture and spice, as the winery's own sheet puts it. Winemaster Randy Ullom's name heads the 2019 sheet, whose notes promise soft, elegant tannins and a long, silky finish. See more of the range on the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates vendor page or browse the wider wine collection.
Tasting Notes
From the 2019 official sheet: Nose: Layered black cherry, plum and currant. Palate: Wild berry with a hint of spice over soft, elegant tannins. Finish: Long, silky and lingering.
How to Enjoy
Current retail pairing copy from the winery's syndicated material points it at grilled portobello mushrooms and sausages, a plant-based burger, or pasta with a meat sauce. Serve at cool room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a Sonoma County wine? It depends on the vintage: the official 2019 sheet gives a Sonoma County appellation, while the 2023 sheet gives California (with 88% Sonoma County fruit). The winery itself is in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County.
How strong is it? The official sheets document 14.2% (2023) to 14.5% (2019, 2021) ABV — check your bottle's sheet figure on its back label.
How is it aged? The 2019 tech sheet specifies 20 months in oak — 66% French, 34% American; later sheets emphasise cold soaking and extended maceration instead.
Black cherry and silk, vintage after vintage — pick up Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.