From Robert M Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate
June 30, 2003
Issue:147

GREAT WINE VALUES FOR UNDER $20.00

Blackjack Ranch 2001 Chardonnay (88)

A superb value from the west coast, this California Chardonnay is reminiscent of a cross between a full-bodied Chablis and a fruit-driven Mâconnais. It possesses the tell-tale minerality and acidity of the cool climate of Santa Barbara viticultural area as well as loads of texture, and plenty of passion fruit, melon, orange, and lemon rind notes. Clean and pristine, with an excellent mouthfeel, this medium-bodied Chardonnay will provide immense pleasure over the next 12-24 months.

Blackjack Ranch Receives High Priase
From Robert M. Parker Jr.

Blackjack Ranch Vineyard and Winery is please to announce that with the release of Robert Parker’s Wind Buyers Guide Sixth Edition, Blackjack Ranch has been rated one of California’s Five-Star (Outstanding) “Producers of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Blends Thereof” for both Harmonie and Billy Goat Merlot.

Mr. Parker’s recognition places Blackjack in his highest category along with other Bordeaux-varietal producers such as Abreau, Araujo, Caymus, Colgin, Dalla Valle, Dominus, Harlan, Chateau Montelena, Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, and Shafer.

Blackjack Ranch was the only Central Coast producer to be awarded Mr. Parker’s Five-Star recognition for the production of Bordeaux vareitals. Of special note, Blackjack Ranch (along with Ridge) was the only producer outside of Napa/Sonoma to achieve this recognition.

We are further pleased to call your attention to Mr. Parker’s award of 93 points to the Blackjack Ranch Billy Goat Hill Merlot 1999. Blackjack’s Harmonie 1999 (Bordeaux-blend) was awarded an outstanding 92 point score. Mr. Parker called these two wines ‘Wisted’s breakthrough efforts” using terms such as exceptional richness and concentration, awesome, revelation, extraordinary, explosive, amazing, great achievement, seamless texture, beautifully integrated, etc.

Robert Parker’s ultimate award is our ultimate reward. When we founded Blackjack Ranch in 1996, it was with the intention of producing world-class Bordeaux varietals. We planted our Merlot and Cabernet Franc with this in mind. We contracted to purchase the best Cabernet Sauvignon we could locate south of Napa. To have accomplished this feat in such a short time as seen by the world’s number one critic (of any kind) is truly an honor and we are grateful

Roger Wisted, Proprietor

From Robert M Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate
February 28, 2000
Issue:127

     This promising new performer, situated outside the village of Los Olivos, is run by Roger Wisted, who farms approximately 17 acres. Wisted is attempting to Capture as much as possible in the wines of Santa Barbara. His first releases have been impressive offerings, and in 1999 a Syrah will also be produced. The Chardonnays, which are not put through malolactic, include a crisp, Chablis like, mineral/citrusy-styled 1998 Chardonnay Central Coast, which sees about 40% new oak. It is similar in quality to a mid-level French Chablis. More interesting is the non-malolactic 1996 Chardonnay Reserve. It is full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with excellent acidity (because it did not go through malolactic), as well as ripe, candied apple, pear, and citrus aromas infused with notes of subtle wood. With an intense mid-palate and fine length, this Chardonnay should age nicely for 4-5 years.
     The red wine program includes a fine Pinot Noir. The 1998 Laetitia Vineyard could easily pass for good premier cru from Vosne-Romanée. It exhibits an earthy, spicy, vanillin, floral, and cherry scented bouquet, an elegant, medium-bodied personality, sweet fruit, and unmistakable. Pinot characteristics. This complex effort should continue to develop for 4-5 years. My notes state that this wine had a 91-point bouquet and 87-point flavors. Lastly, the impressive 1997 Harmonie Proprietary Red Wine (a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvingnon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Merlot) offers a complex nose of black fruits, roasted coffee, dried herbs, and earth. The wine possesses outstanding ripeness, sweet, rich fruit, firm tannin, and nicely delineated personality, as well as vigor and exuberance. Age this wine for another 3-4 years; it should evolve nicely for 15+. This is an impressive new star in the Santa Barbara firmament.

From Robert M Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate
December 23, 1998
Issue:120

This new operation is run by the passionate and seemingly sure-handed Roger Wisted. Wisted has always had a love for wine, and finally decided that just buying and drinking it was not enough. So he planted his own vineyard and while waiting for it to mature, bought grapes to produce his own wines. I am very impressed with his first two efforts. The 1997 Chardonnay Reserve (14.4% alcohol) reveals copious quantities of tropical fruit (primarily pineapple), as well as toasty new oak, honeysuckle, and vanilla. This intense, full-blown and bodied, layered, pure, ripe, lusty, hedonistic Chardonnay should drink well for 2-3 years. The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (under 500 cases) is made from purchased fruit grown in a 17-year old vineyard in Los Olivos. Aged in equal parts American and French oak, it will be released in another year. While still grapy, unevolved, and backward, it reveals outstanding potential. The vegetal character often found in Cabernets from this area is not present in this offering. Made from extremely ripe fruit, Blackjack Ranch's 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon is an opaque black/purple-colored wine with moderately intense scents. The oak is well-integrated, and the tannin high, but the wine posses a sweet, rich mid-palate, excellent to outstanding texture, and fine length. It should be an impressive debut release for Roger Wisted's Blackjack Ranch. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.

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