2007 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley- USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (10/27/2011)
Opened approximately 5 hours without a decant. Nice full ruby-garnet color with medium density. Shows notes of cassis, black cherry, gravelly rock, cedar and tobacco on the nose. Hits the palate with juicy vibrant fruit and notes of depth that are consistent with the bouquet. Nice structure and balance consistent with recent vintages, but what separates the 2007 is the fuller and more opulent body. Fine polished tannins and a full juicy finish. Excellent, probably the best Jordan Cab that I’ve had. (93 pts.)
I have been drinking Jordan for many years, going back to the late 70’s, early 80’s. We used to call it poor man’s Silver Oak and always found it reasonably priced on restaurant menus. Jordan changed their labeling to “Sonoma County” on more recent vintates, intimating grapes were sourced outside Alexander Valley. They have maintained the same wine profile without jacking their price of the wine as so many others did, just slowly raising it to cover a modest inflation of costs. Now I see it is back to “Alexander Valley.” Matt also notes positive changes in the wine’w profile.
One of the most consistent “larger” production wines that as you point out, is obviously improving. Kudos to Jordan. Great notes Matt.
I have had the wine MANY times without much fanfare. Most recently I had a 1979 which was close in profile to a Pinot Noir and a 2004 which was green, green, green. I guys I will have to taste the 2007. Ironically the beat Jordan I have ever had was the 1985 Riverie Russe which was a blend of botrosised Sauvignon Blanc and Semmilion.
The oak has been dialed way back… very mineral-driven, good acid, balanced fruit, food-friendly. It’s a nice wine if you like the leaner side of RRV Chard.
one of the first wines to really draw my interest to wine was 1985 Jordan but to say the least, my taste has expanded and find most Cabs to be too straight forward and not a huge flavor profile, but thats for another post…
What is there fruit sources now compared to when it was all Estate Fruit which ended with which Vintage?
Not sure what vintage the estate fruit sources ended. I do know that they buy from growers now throughout Alexander Valley to supplement what they get from the estate. The amount they buy I guess changes depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the vintage as it relates to their estate. I also believe they’ve quit blending Cab Franc and are blending in Malbec, this over the last few vintages… that may eliminate some of the green notes that David mentioned above.
Great to hear all the positive comments about Jordan’s latest releases. I work at the winery, and winemaker Rob Davis believes 2007 Cabernet is indeed his finest release to date. Wait until you taste 2009 and 2010 though. His excitement keeps building. Great things happening.
Randy – regarding your comments about the Sonoma County vs. Alexander Valley appellation. I have a little more background, if it’s useful. Jordan switched to the SC AVA during replanting in the late 1990s due to phylloxera. It was out of necessity at the time. The Cabernet returned to Alexander Valley AVA with the 2002 vintage, so the hiatus wasn’t long.
![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}