Three Finger Jack
Disclaimer: We received the bottle of Three Finger Jack as a sample for review.
The name of this wine is a nod to an outlaw who operated in the Sierra Foothills during the Gold Rush. He was born in California when it was still part of Mexico. His real name was Manuel Garcia and he was part of the infamous Murrietta gang. The gang’s leader, Joaquin Murrietta is believed to be the inspiration for Zorro.
When the law caught up with the Murrietta gang, they cut off Joaquin’s head and Manuel’s hand. I presume it was the hand that was short on fingers. These trophies were pickled in alcohol and were taken around the state. People paid $1 to see these macabre items.
The Wine
The 2016 Three Finger Jack is made by Delicato Family Wines. Gaspare Indelicato, an immigrant from Sicily, planted his first US vines in 1924. Despite the word “family” in their name, Delicato are a large wine producer. In 2018, they sold eleven-million cases.
The Three Finger Jack is a Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon. 76% Cab, 9% Petite Sirah, 8% Malbec, 6% Merlot, and 1% an unspecified other. Some of the wine aged in French and American oak barrels. The rest spent time in stainless steel. With an ABV of 15%, it has a higher level of alcohol than is typical for the varietal.
Tasting Three-Finger jack
The bottle is an unusual squat shape. At first glance, I thought it was a half-liter capacity, but it is a full 750ml capacity. The nose was of medium intensity with aromas of forest fruits. The taste was more complex than the two-dimensional bouquet lead me to expect. It started with a soft mouth-feel and good acidity. Light fruit; cherry and summer berries. As the wine opened-up candied fruit and caramel appeared. I detected a slight hotness, but the alcohol was not front and centre, despite the high ABV. Lush and balanced, this was a wine that both Amber and I enjoyed. It offers acidity and restraint that make it food friendly.
I drank the wine and captured my thoughts without knowing the price of the wine. Total wine offer Three-Finger Jack at $15.99. For a well made Cabernet, this is an excellent price. We can recommend the wine.
