2008 Jocelyn Lonen Napa Cab.... w/ 25% syrah in it!

Tyler_Rico · April 12, 2011, 9:48pm

I saw this the other day at my local grocery outlet for $14.99. I really liked the 2006 at $9.99 and grabbed a case when they had it. I bought a bottle of this to try and it was ok, not quite as good as the 2006. I went to check out their website and found out the 2008 was 75% cab and 25% syrah! I know legally they can still call it cabernet but something about this just doesn’t seem right.

your thoughts?

here is the info on their website…
http://www.jocelynwines.com/08lonennvcab.html

mike_pobega · April 12, 2011, 10:25pm

Legally, as you know, they can call it so. Should they? Probably not, especially with the Syrah component.
A seemingly wise man once gave me some advice. I will now share it with you: “expecting much?..you get what you pay for at $20ish”

And here’s the link:

Cheers!

Rick_Smith · April 12, 2011, 11:27pm

They didn’t call it pinot noir?!?

Eric_Anderson · April 13, 2011, 12:54am

I’m not a fan of Cab/Syrah blends at all. I suppose it’s silly to be purist about this, but I really don’t feel Cab should be cut with anything but other Bordeaux varieties. To me, it just screws up the typicity of the variety, since it ceases to smell and taste like Cab.

Out of curiosity, what was the blend on the '06?

Tyler_Rico · April 13, 2011, 1:12am

I agree Eric

The blend on the 2006 was 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec

Also, the blend breakdown was not on the back label. While I wouldn’t call it dishonest I also wouldn’t put it in the category of full disclosure.

Eric_Anderson · April 13, 2011, 1:33am

Tyler, are you familiar with the producer? 6-7 yrs ago they had a pretty nice lineup, though under separate labels. The Lonen (named after the father, who was quite ill at the time) was a higher end bottling, and the Jocelyn (the daughter) was the regular priced stuff. I don’t recall any low-end bottlings. Also, IIRC, they had some long term contracts with the Stagecoach Vnyd and the Krupp Bros own Vnyd. Not sure what’s happened in the intervening years.

Tyler_Rico · April 13, 2011, 3:48am

Eric Anderson:

Tyler Rico:

Eric Anderson:

I’m not a fan of Cab/Syrah blends at all. I suppose it’s silly to be purist about this, but I really don’t feel Cab should be cut with anything but other Bordeaux varieties. To me, it just screws up the typicity of the variety, since it ceases to smell and taste like Cab.

Out of curiosity, what was the blend on the '06?

I agree Eric

The blend on the 2006 was 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec

Also, the blend breakdown was not on the back label. While I wouldn’t call it dishonest I also wouldn’t put it in the category of full disclosure.

Tyler, are you familiar with the producer? 6-7 yrs ago they had a pretty nice lineup, though under separate labels. The Lonen (named after the father, who was quite ill at the time) was a higher end bottling, and the Jocelyn (the daughter) was the regular priced stuff. I don’t recall any low-end bottlings. Also, IIRC, they had some long term contracts with the Stagecoach Vnyd and the Krupp Bros own Vnyd. Not sure what’s happened in the intervening years.

I am not familiar with the producer but thanks for the info. It looks like the fruit source of the 2006 was Stagecoach, Krupp, and Bennett Ranch…high quality fruit.

loren.grossman · April 13, 2011, 3:40pm

They are a quality winery, owned by quality people. Josh Krupp made the wines, then Jamey Whetstone and now Alison Doran. Brandi Jocelyn Pack is the owner, after the passing of her father. They changed the name to Jocelyn Lonen after Juselyn gave them a hard time about the name. The wines are delicious and reasonable. They are located at the tippy top of Atlas Peak - great views and they have a lovely little tasting room up there. They make an RRV chard and have a fun wine club program. The Lonen Reserve is still, I think, their top wine. From what I recall, Roy Piper commented that their 08 or 09 stagecoach cab was amongst the best he tasted from that site. I am a fan.