29 Mar Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Joseph Jewell 2020 Pinot Noir, Panther Ridge, Petaluma Gap

In Southern California, we can grill outdoors most of the year. So, when I joined my parents for dinner and my dad started grilling lamb chops, I knew that I wanted to pair the meat with a Pinot Noir. I wanted something with bright red fruit and earthy notes. I wanted texture but not boldness. And I found the perfect pairing, the Joseph Jewell 2020 Pinot Noir, Panther Ridge, Petaluma Gap, the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About Joseph Jewell Wines

Joseph Jewell Wines is owned by Adrian Jewell Manspeaker who named the winery after his middle name and the middle name of his original partner. I first met Adrian earlier this year via a virtual tasting as he talked about making wines in Humboldt County. But in addition to sourcing fruit from Humboldt County, he also sources fruit from Russian River and Sonoma Coast. No matter where he sources fruit, his goal is to make site specific wines.

The Joseph Jewell Panther Ridge 2020 Pinot Noir is sourced from the Panther Ridge Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap. The vineyard is planted on a ridge 1,000 feet up on Sonoma Mountain and overlooks Sonoma County. The organically farmed vineyard, which is now practicing regenerative farming, benefits from the cool breezes from Petaluma.

Tasting notes

2020 is the first vintage that Adrian has worked with this vineyard. The grapes are fermented, 10% whole cluster, and aged for 18 months. It is a beautiful deep garnet red color. It has aromas of wild berries, black tea, and earth notes. On the palate, the wine is fresh with juicy acidity.

Food pairing with Pinot Noir

The Joseph Jewell 2020 Pinot Noir, Panther Ridge, Petaluma Gap was exactly what I wanted with my grilled lamp chops.

Where to purchase

The Joseph Jewell 2020 Pinot Noir, Panther Ridge, Petaluma Gap retails for $55 and can be purchased directly from the winery.