The Jackson family-owned wineries are both a family business and a family passion. In addition to the flagship Kendall-Jackson and La Crema wineries, Jackson Family Wines owns some of the most esteemed wineries in California, including Arrowood, Byron, Cambria, Carmel Road, Edmeades, Freemark Abbey, La Jota, Matanzas Creek, Stonestreet, Lokoya, Cardinale and Verité. The portfolio also includes the international properties of Château Lassègue in Bordeaux; Tenuta di Arceno and Arcanum in Tuscany; Alcance and Calina in Chile; and Yangarra Estates and Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard in Australia. In 2013, the Jackson family purchased property in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and in 2014 the company expanded its reach into South Africa with the acquisition of Fijnbosch Farm in the Stellenbosch region.

When I learnt that local wine importer/distributor CPJ was hosting a wine pairing dinner to showcase three new additions from Jackson Family Wines: Stonestreet, Silver Palm, and the only non-Californian wine in this bunch from Yangarra in Australia, it was a major decision whether I should break my month-long self-imposed ‘realignment diet’ in order to enjoy the delectable creations of Chef Colin Hylton, paired with an excellent set of new wines. I decided to attend, but I would limit myself to sampling; a great decision that led to the discovery of one of the most delicious sauvignon blancs in Jamaica.

2012 Stonestreet Aurora

After a decade of involvement in the wine business, especially in a developing wine market, it is very seldom that you taste a wine that causes you to pause and go searching for the bottle. That was the case for the first wine of the evening — the 2012 Stonestreet Aurora Point sauvignon blanc. After the waiter hands you the glass, tells you it’s sauvignon blanc, your brain gets ready to taste a typical sauvignon blanc, but after the first sip you experience a rush of concentrated tropical fruits not typical of this type of wine. The medium- to full-bodied Alexander Valley wine has depth, layers of rich fruit on the palate, and soft but evident oak influence.

2014 Silver Palm Chardonnay

Next came the very pleasant, well-balanced 2014 Silver Palm Chardonnay, a dry, medium white wine with the typical apple aromas, followed by citrus flavours and white fruit on the palate — a very enjoyable, “moreish” wine. This wine accompanied Hylton’s Granny Smith apple and snow pea bisque.

2012 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The 2012 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a simple, easy-drinking, light-bodied, dry, fruit-forward red wine served with the second course: wholewheat linguine with white truffle sauce, wild mushroom ragout, roasted tomatoes and charred walnuts.

2012 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir

Another Pinot, this time from the flagship winery – the 2012 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir. Jess Jackson, founder, now deceased, said: “Our goal is to create the kind of wines you will enjoy the first time you taste them and for years to come.” This KJ Pinot is just that; very enjoyable on first sip, it packs a bit more punch than the La Crèma in terms of body, hence the reason it was selected to accompany the roasted duck atop ortanique-fleched couscous salad with ginger orange crema and Montmorency cherries that was served for the third course.

2012 Yangarra Estate Shiraz

The main event, an amazing herb-crusted rack of lamb (yes, I had to taste it after hearing the response from the guests) was perfectly paired with the big, powerful, bold and full-bodied 2012 Yangarra Estate Shiraz. Everything you would expect in a solid, well-made Australian Shiraz — spicy black fruit with some good grip. This wine has the tannins needed for it to age a little while longer.

After tasting these wines, I can say that Jess Jackson’s vision is alive and well; a really great set of wines have been added to our market for all to enjoy.