| "From the beginning, Jordan
Cabernet Sauvignons have been made in such a way that they are round,
fragrant and approachable upon release, but have the capacity to
age beautifully," explains winemaker Rob Davis. "The blend
generally comprises primarily of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, but we
usually add 15% Merlot and around 5% Cabernet Franc. This, with
the use of both French and American small oak cooperage followed
by bottle aging in Jordan's cellars, adds to the wine's consistently
elegant style." A red wine in California is labeled as Cabernet
Sauvignon if it contains a minimum of 75% Cabernet. Find out all
the other details at www.jordanwinery.com.
The earlier Jordan selections from the decade of the 90's will
be harder to find at retail than on some more important reataurant
wine lists. They are still worth the higher restaurant pricing
based upon their quality.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 2000
Price $49.99
Rating 92
Luxurious aromas of cassis, leather, black olive and a bit of
leather, followed by flavors of rich fruit and vibrant complexity.
There is a distinctive brightness to the fruit.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 1999
Price $49.99
Rating 94
Beautiful earthy aromas with complex, refined leather elements,
are followed by flavors of red cherry, dark baker's chocolate,
more complex fruit, freshly-tilled earth and much more in the
long length.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 1998
Price $44
Rating 91
The nose is delicate and alluring. A sip offers elements of dark
fruit, black olive, hints of refined leather and restraint through
the good length.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma 1997
Price $100 plus
Rating 96
The nose possesses Bordeaux-like qualities. There are aromas of
gooseberry, currant, pencil shavings and discrete, refined leather.
The sip enters softly with an array of complex fruit, gentle mineral,
and long, subtle length.
"A lot of quality wine is about losses," explains winemaker
Rob Davis. "We start out losing 10-20% of the fruit due to
nature. Later we elect to cutting back the fruit during its development,
dropping perhaps another 25%, in order to insure that the final
harvest is more complex." 1997 was both a huge and a high
quality vintage.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 1995 Price $100 plus
Rating 93 The nose is complex with subtle leather, dark fruit
with hints of ripe tomato and earth. The flavors are showing nice
maturity. There is cranberry and red cherry in the long, elegant
length.
"Winemakers don't get paid for vintages like 1995,"
reveals Davis.
"Everything came in from the vineyard perfectly. 1995 was
one of my favorite vintages from the decade."
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 1994 Price $155 plus
Rating 94 The nose is Bordeaux-like complex with currant and pencil
shavings. The flavors include vibrant red fruit, bits of leather
and complex earth. This ten year-old is still going strong.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 1992 Price $75 Rating
93 The nose is driven by mineral and freshly-tilled earth, backed
by elements of dark fruit. The mouth is an array of dark fruit,
leather, black olive, resounding mineral and more in the long
length.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 1991 Price $125 plus
Rating 91 The nose is ponderous with leather, pencil shavings
and dark fruit. The sip reveals mature fruit still in good form.
This was a challenging vintage, but the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
is still showing well.
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