Don’t Spill This Wine: Summation

SUMMATION

California 2008

Vintner’s Reserve

Kendall-Jackson has recently released the premiere vintage of Summation, and this blend of ten varietals and the interpretation of Winemaster Randy Ullom have resulted in a white wine that delivers at every level. Expect the same high quality that has been synonymous with KJ, but the rich layers of flavor and the delicate balance of this blend is only part of the reason we’ll add this to our holiday shopping list. You can read the spec sheet to find out that the blend is 31% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Chardonnay, 13% Semillon, 11% Viognier, 9% Pinot Blanc, 8% Roussanne, 4% Marsanne, 3% Grenache Blanc, 2% Gewürztraminer and 1% Chenin Blanc… but in the end, and in Summation it may be a question of price and versatility that makes this wine so approachable. Sure we pair wine with meals, and this crisp blend certainly works perfectly with seafood from sushi to shellfish as well as chicken, salads, and all light fare, but sometimes you just want to sip and drink.

In the past we’ve enjoyed Conundrum, but as its price rose our interest waned. Summation is priced right for every situation. Wine programming for buyers and sellers has changed forever, and Summation is a perfect replacement for by-the glass programs and also is ‘in the pocket’ for on-premise bottle sales. Besides that, we all have come to know the wines of Kendall-Jackson as great quality wines reasonably priced and easy to find…and sell, and that is due in great part to Randy Ullom.

Ullom, is truly a ‘Winemaster’ who after spearheading the growth of DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma joined Kendall-Jackson in 1993. Ullom was hired by Jess Jackson to be the winemaker at Camelot Vineyards. That same year, Jackson gave him the additional responsibility of heading up a new Chilean operation as founding winemaker and general manager of Viña Calina. In 1996, Ullom helped Jackson establish wine production in Argentina with the Tapiz label.

Randy Ullom now has the distinction of being one of the few winemakers in the world to work two harvests a year … in two different hemispheres. In March of 1997, Ullom earned his most prestigious assignment in a Winemaster for Kendall-Jackson Winery. In 2006, he also became the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Ullom describes Summation as a “white wine blend, mingling refreshing flavors of honeydew melon, apricot, pink grapefruit, with added hints of honeysuckle and a creamy mouthfeel resulting in a soft, dry wine”.

Summation and all the fine wines of Kendall-Jackson are available in Florida from Premier Beverage Company.