When the civil war broke out, Charles Jewell, was a banker in Arcadia, Kansas. Being a prominent figure in his community, he joined the Union army as a lieutenant colonel. Leading the charge at the Battle of Cane HIll in Arkansas, it is quoted that he, “was known as a bold & intrepid officer. Possessing a kindly and generous nature… Even if he knew that he was to lead a forlorn hope, he would not hesitate to offer up his life if demanded…”
Since 2008, Adrian has been among the winemakers leading the charge to put high quality Pinot Noir from Humboldt County on the map. Developing a new winegrowing region is a decades long pursuit to work in harmony with farmers, winemakers, government, media, and of course consumers. It’s a bold pursuit as Humboldt boasts only ~150 acres of grapes in the entire county.
Each Spring Adrian tastes through every barrel in the cellar looking for specific characteristics that, when blended together, culminate into an expression illustrating the terroir of Humboldt.
The power of the mighty redwoods emanates from the glass in the 2019 Emerald with notes of juniper berry, fresh pomegranate, wild goji, satsuma citrus, wild pennyroyal, fresh cut cedar, porcini mushroom, redwood forest floor. On the palate, you’re greeted by wild blackberries, spicy red currant, blood orange peel, refreshing menthol, mouth watering acidity, lush tannins and a white rock minerality drawing you back for another sip.
Every year I select my favorite barrels of Pinot Noir from Humboldt County to be designated for the Emerald bottling. This year the Emerald consists of Phelps Vineyard, Elk Prairie Vineyard, and Alderpoint Vineyard. Aged French oak for a total of 18 months. I love the way the high-elevation Phelps and Elk Prairie vineyards compliment the low-lying, Alderpoint. Alderpoint Vineyard fruit is always very elegant and red fruit-driven with minerality while Phelps brings bright red and black fruits with a juicy tannin. Elk Prairie lends darker bramble fruit from the Dijon clone and earth and rusticity from the Martini clone. I’m excited about this wine, being different from past vintages by not having any Ryan Vineyard in it. If you have patience, like all the Jewell wines, it will continue to age gracefully over the next decade.