2004 JanKris Riatta, Paso Robles. Re-Release
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This Sangiovese-based blend is a deep, smoky garnet color with garnet extending to the rim and excellent clarity. The bouquet is a bit heady and smoky at first but with decanting this quickly dissipates. Light cherry matches the tamed smokiness with notes of sweet oak and tobacco following. In the mouth, cherry, strawberry and raspberry are accented by smoke notes and a hint of briar. Medium bodied with fine, tea-like tannins, this wine has a sleek and smooth though lightly dusty texture with a creamy character at the end of an overall juicy mouthfeel. A medium length finish of cherry and hints of smoke ends a bit warm. |
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13.8% Alcohol $17.00 Retail (from winery); 1644 cases produce |
Additional barrel time has tamed the fruit in this wine. Decanting is advised, in particular to allow the smokiness to even out. It remains a quaffable wine with good food paring potential. It should go well with pastas, and meat and red sauce dishes. BOTTOM LINE: Fairly good. No serious flaws. Worth trying. |
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Detail: Production | Producer | Vintage | Grapes | Vineyard
A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Zinfandel and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Riatta was aged approximately 12 months in 100% neutral oak barrels. This re-release pent an additional 9 month in barrel.
The vision for the Riatta line is to create a Super Tuscan with an element of Zinfandel character added. The Riatta line demonstrates the great blending utility of Zinfandel. As with all JanKris wines, the Riatta is made as a 'drink now'.
Established in 1990 by Mark and Paula Gendron, JanKris Winery is named after their two daughters January and Kristin. The tasting room and a portion of their vineyards are in west side of the Paso Robles appellation. The winemaking philosophy binding all JanKris wines is the motto of "Fruit-forward wines with soft tannins". Another notable characteristic of JanKris wines is their price point: All their wines are below $20, making them excellent values.
Sourced form old vines, JanKris wines combine the characteristics of more dense extraction and fuller body of eastern Paso wines and the age worthiness of wines from the western part of the AVA, JanKris makes varietal wines and Cal-Ital styled blends such as the Picaro and crossover blends like the Crossfire, (blending the Bordeaux varietals Cabernet, Merlot and with the Rhône Syrah grape).
Sangiovese is the staple grape of Chianti where it is generally blended with the red grapes Canaiolo and Colorino and the white Trebbiano. The name originates from the latin: Sanguis Jovis, which means: “blood of Jupiter". Sangiovese gives fruity, moderately acidic wines with a medium body. Most commonly expressed are aromas and flavors of strawberry, blueberry, orange peel and, occasionally, plums.
Zinfandel is THE grape of California. It thrives in warm climates and shows very fruity, jammy raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, cranberry and black cherry - often with a prickly or briary note. Cinnamon and Licorice may also be expressed. It has come a long way since its usage as the core of California 'jug wines' and some great varietal Zinfandel wines are now being produced with wines made from old vine fruit coming into the limelight of late. (read more)
Often called the "King of wines" and one of the 'big five' of Bordeaux reds, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted among the five and, with over 40,000 acres planted in the state, it is the most successful red wine in California. With its reputation for longevity and aging, California winemakers began to take example from their Bordeaux counterparts and blend it with other varietals. Soon, the Meritage Association was formed to foster this movement. It usually usually shows black currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors backed by cedar characteristics. (read more)
Three JanKris properties, comprising the 170 acre estate, are located both in the west ('Templeton Gap') and east portions of the Paso Robles AVA. Grapes grown are: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merolt, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier and Zinfandel.
The hot 2004 growing season was one of the shortest in the history of the state. Harvest came two to three weeks earlier than usual, at the start of August. While this "crop of crops" was lauded as producing highly extracted fruit, some wines have been rather unbalanced while others were stunning an memorable. Each offering from this vintage should be judged individually and not by virtue of vintage alone since the shortened growing season affected different varietals in different AVAs and even vineyards. Read More
Rating
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Color |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Nose |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Palate |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Finish |
3 points |
(5 points max) |
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Tannins |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Acidity |
5 points |
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Alcohol |
5 points |
(5 points max) |
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Aging potential |
2 points |
(5 points max) |
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Overall quality |
8 points |
(10 points max) |
Cumulative Score: 89
Rating System & Scoring Criteria explained
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