Jordan 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Magnum 1.5L

Magnum, 1.5L Jordan Vineyards almost single-handedly put Alexander Valley on the map. Since the release of their first wine, the 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon, they've been a standard bearer for what this warm-climate corner of Sonoma County can produce. And year after year Jordan's Cabernets continue to deliver bold, ripe flavors, beautifully polished with ideal balance for aging.

For this 2013, more than 60 vineyard blocks from Jordan Estate and 16 family growers were sourced. The grape lots are kept separate by vineyard. Each gets 15 days extended maceration and every lot is reevaluated after primary fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is completed in upright oak casks before assemblage to create the "barrel blend." Five French and three American barrel coopers selected based on blind tastings and vintage flavor profile; primarily medium toast. The wines are aged in 83% French and 17% American oak barrels for 12 months; 43% new oak. Post malolactic fermentation, individual lots are blind tasted and ranked, then assembled into the "barrel blend." After one year in barrels, the "barrel blend" is reassessed and only top lots are combined for the final master blend. This 2013 is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.5% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot; 1.5% Malbec; 0.5% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Review Online scored this 95 points saying "This wine has become a benchmark for Alexander Valley Cabernet, and to be able to get it at this price is a treat that you shouldn't miss. Blackberry, red currant, mildly chalky tannins, soft spice and very soft dried herb notes are harmonious now and promise to deepen and gain elegance with cellar time. You'll want some of this around ten years from now when equivalent value will cost a lot more."


Tasting Panel Magazine scored this 95 points saying "Open and lush, this is a statement of elegance unfolding. Red fruit morphs to dark, and balance is evident. This is one of the more light-hearted vintages for this expressive red. Drinking now is praiseworthy, but age-ability is clearly marked for future pleasure."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 92 points saying "This food-friendly wine is most remarkable for its structure and gracefulness on the palate. Herbal on the entry, it offers grip and elegance within sturdy elongated tannins, a note of brushy cedar and sage and integrated French oak."