Most people enjoy drinking a Mint Julep while watching the Kentucky Derby, also known as 'The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.' This year the Preferred Wine of the 150th Kentucky Derby is Kendall-Jackson. Known for producing America's #1 Chardonnay, the beloved winery released two different limited-edition, commemorative wines. They are ideal to serve at your own Derby viewing party.
Both the Kentucky Derby x Kendall-Jackson 2022 '150th Running' Mendocino County Chardonnay and the Sonoma Valley Kentucky Derby x Kendall-Jackson 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon wines feature a special label. It's an ode to the 150th anniversary of the 'Run for The Roses', and the horse featured on the label is retired American Thoroughbred racehorse Rachel Alexandra of Stonestreet Stables.
The Derby is known as "The Run for the Roses" as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of beautiful roses. Stonestreet Stables is the Jackson family's Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing farm and facility in the famous Bluegrass Hills of Lexington, Kentucky. Jess Jackson's beloved racehorse Rachel Alexandra was the winner of many races, including the most sought-after races at Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Saratoga Racecourse.
This Chardonnay wine is made with grapes sourced from multiple AVA's within Mendocino County. Each glass offers pleasing vanilla notes with bright flavors of tropical fruit and tangerine. Food pairing suggestions with this wine include: Deviled Eggs, Fried Chicken, Baked Bourbon Chicken and Pimento Cheese Spread with Crudites. Serve at 50° F in a Burgundy shape glass.
Winemaking notes: Crafted in small vineyard lots and small oak barrels to provide Kendall-Jackson's signature velvety texture and creaminess.
The exclusive Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 87% Cabernet grapes, 7% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc for supple tannins and enhanced mouthfeel. The winemaker adds 2% Merlot to enhance the wine's softness and roundness.
It's a fruit forward red wine offering bright aromas of ripe cherries, red currants, cassis and a hint of pomegranate. On the palate there is an essence of baking spices and dark chocolate. Other flavors such as blueberries and caramel linger on the finish.
Winemaking notes: Aged for 23 months in 74% French Oak and 26% American Oak. Food pairing includes Pulled Pork Sliders and Oysters Rockefeller with Pimento cheese. Serve at 65° F in a Burgundy glass.
The wines are now available for purchase online and in select retailers nationwide.
