J Lohr Tasting

2000 Cuvee POM, $50.00
2003 Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, $18.00
2004 Estate’s Bay Mist Riesling, $8.50
2003 Estate’s Los Osos Merlot, $15.00
2004 Crosspoint Pinot Noir, $12.00
2003 J Lohr Estates Bramblewood Zinfandel, $15.00
Shane's Notes

I really enjoyed J Lohr wines when I started drinking wine many years ago. I used to think that they were the first serious wines I had tasted. After revisiting their wines during a tasting at their San Jose tasting room, I discovered that I was sadly mistaken: their wines do not rise above the level of plonk. We primarily tasted wines ranging in price from $8.50 to $18.00 a bottle. I even paid two dollars for a tasting of one of their Cuvee wines (a Cabernet Sauvignon blend) which they sell for $50 a bottle. All the wines we tasted lacked flavor and complexity. Several were over-oaked (100% aged for two years in new oak barrels), and we suppose the quality of their grapes is poor. We need to research basic wine making techniques in further depth so we can figure out why and how some of these wineries are churning out bland, simplistic offerings.