LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KJ1 by Keyshawn Johnson, a new super premium wine, was introduced today by Keyshawn Johnson, NFL sports legend and entrepreneur and Johnson & Mills, LLC, a partnership of Johnson and R.C. Mills, a Los Angeles wine business expert. The first wine is the 2007 KJ1 by Keyshawn Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon from northeast Oregon, where Columbia Valley soils and climate are similar to Bordeaux and the Napa Valley. “I’ve enjoyed wine for years and for me, Cabernet is king,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who starred at USC in 1994 – 1995 and was then the first overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft added, “Our first pick was this wine from Eastern Oregon.” In 2005, he co-founded First Picks Management to pursue his business interests in food service, hotels and real estate. With broad interests, Johnson retired from the NFL in 2007 and began a career with ESPN, where he continues to serve as an analyst with the “NFL Countdown” shows. He also starred in an A&E Network interior design program in 2009, “Tackling Design.”
Master Sommelier Virginia Philips writes about KJ1 by Keyshawn Johnson: “To the eye, the wine has a purple core with electric pink highlights on the rim. The nose is powerful, with much black pepper and overtones of ripe black cherry and rich berry aromas. There are notes of tobacco, vanilla and clove mingling with damp earth. Unctuous and full-bodied on the palate, there are chewy tannins leading to a lingering finish. The wine tastes well on its own; pairing suggestions include Steak au Poivre, Rosemary Crusted Lamb Chops or BBQ-rubbed meats.” Production of the first vintage is 112 six-bottle cases; suggested retail price is $125; distribution will begin September 15.
For the latest about KJ1 by Keyshawn Johnson, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kj1wine; connect on Google+ at http://bit.ly/NHLsvt and like it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KJ1Wine.
R.C. Mills entered the wine business in 1996 after a successful career as a chef and caterer in France and the U.S. “We’re seeing a real trend in the sports and entertainment industries taking an interest in not just wine as a beverage but the whole business – from growing the grapes to making their own wine.” The new partnership is based in Century City, California. “We’ve always enjoyed wine and this is our opportunity to produce a world-class product that reflects our commitment to excellence,” the partners said.
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