Will Jarvis' Science Project
It's exciting to imagine that a young boy's science project could become a world class wine, but that's exactly what happened! Will Jarvis, the son of William and Leticia, made wine for his 8th grade science project. When sampled a decade later, the result was exceptional and inspired the 2007 debut vintage of this wine. It is made from a top Cabernet Franc lot plus a small, typically 5%, blend of Merlot and always in small half size barrels so as to approximate the original Science Project.
Will Jarvis, the second-generation vintner and son of William and Leticia Jarvis, decided to make wine for his 8th-grade science project (with special approval from his teacher, of course). Later, father and son revisited the Science Project after a decade of extensive aging in the cave. Following the tasting, they were pleasantly surprised by this exceptional and complex wine. In continuing with Will’s original science project parameters, the wine is aged in 100% new French oak, small half-size barrels for twelve months.
2018 was a beautiful vintage characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the growing season that led to slow, even ripening across all Jarvis varieties. The 2018 Science Project is a blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. A dark garnet color fills the glass while aromas of blackberry, cassis and hints of tobacco spring from it. The full-bodied palate brings a blend of chocolate, dark cherry and cedar as the generous tannin structure and balanced acidity lead to a long and satisfying fi nish.
Will Jarvis, the second-generation vintner, and son of William and Leticia Jarvis, decided to make wine for his 8th-grade science project (with special approval from his teacher, of course). Later father and son revisited the Science Project after a decade of extensive aging in the cave. Following the tasting, they were pleasantly surprised by this exceptional and complex wine. In continuing with the original science project, the 2016 Science Project is aged in 100% new French oak, small half-size barrels in keeping with Will Jarvis’ original project parameters.
Fresh and fruit forward this wine is ready for enjoyment upon release. It presents a dusty rose character upfront but on the palate the wine shows deeper notes of black cherry, blackberry and cocoa.
2016 was a stellar vintage that began early and progressed with ideal conditions that extended consistent warmth throughout the summer and enabled the fruit to mature to perfect ripeness on the vine. The yield was of moderate size but intense in concentration and quality.
Will Jarvis, the second-generation vintner, and son of William and Leticia Jarvis, decided to make wine for his 8th-grade science project (with special approval from his teacher, of course). Later father and son revisited the Science Project after a decade of extensive aging in the cave. Following the tasting, they were pleasantly surprised by this exceptional and complex wine. In continuing with the original science project, the 2015 Science Project is aged in 100% new French oak, small half-size barrels in keeping with Will Jarvis’ original project parameters.
Fresh and fruit forward this wine is ready for enjoyment upon release. The robust mouthfeel impresses with characteristics of blackberry and blueberry flavors that intermingle with cola and tobacco that move to a smooth toasty finish.
The 2015 growing season experienced an earlier than usual bud-break in spring that led to a period of extended bloom and fruit set. After that, a cooler than normal weather pattern lasted through to May until the heat finally settled in. Once summer did arrive the fruit quickly ripened and harvest was full swing by September. The yield was of moderate size but intense in concentration and quality.
