Made by the talented Kirk Venge, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon JAX Estate Block 3 is all from a site in Calistoga and spent 21 months in new French oak. This inky hued effort gives up a complex nose of blackberries, blueberries, sage, leafy tobacco, and chocolate that develops beautifully with time in the glass. This carries to a dense, concentrated, classic 2021 with plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, beautiful purity, and a great finish.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Dec 2023)
Dark chocolate and dried blueberry aromas lead to uber-ripe fruits, cocoa and a touch of oak char on the palate of this big, rich wine. Massive tannins are softened by the sweet-seeming flavors and contribute to a full, broad texture. Best from 2025–2032.
94 points, Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast (Apr 2024)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2021 Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon features intense scents of juicy plums, black raspberries, and blueberries plus suggestions of cassis, rose oil, and fertile loam with a touch of wild sage. The full-bodied palate is laden with black berry flavors and fragrant spice and floral accents, supported by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Nov 2023)
This bottling is only made in the best vintages. It's always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and identified as the best of the best barrels roughly six months after harvest. Around 300 cases were produced. An impressive standing in the 2021 vintage, with layers of bright, crunchy red berry fruit, velvety tannins, and crushed stone minerals on the lengthy finish, nuanced by fragrant graham cracker crust notes and dried herbs. In 2012, Dan Parrott became a proprietor of the Jax brand and began working with winemaker Kirk Venge.
94 points, Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter (May 2024)
The top wine from Jax is the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Block 3, aged in 100% new French oak. Cassis, blueberry, cedar and vanilla notes mark the nose, while the full-bodied palate offers a bit more concentration and texture than the other estate wines, finishing long and velvety. 175 cases produced.
93 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)
A plush and well-balanced red with blackberries, dark plums, sandalwood and dried spices. It’s full-bodied with plush tannins. Fleshy texture with a creamy core of ripe dark fruit and a muscular frame throughout. Focused finish with excellent length. Try after 2025.
93 points, James Suckling (Dec 2023)
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