Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 8 - 2013 - 11

CEllar tasting notEs
During our 40th anniversary celebrations, Winemaker Rob Davis (pictured left) was delighted to find many
older vintages from all four decades of our history still full of life. Here are his tasting notes.

1977–1979 (6 liter bottles)

1999

Three and a half decades later, the benefits of aging in
large bottle formats are certainly showcased in the first
vintages of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon we bottled in 6
liter: ’77, ’78 and ’79. Demonstrating a rare combination
of drinkability and longevity, wines poured from the 3 liter
and 6 liter bottles exude a mature, delicate and harmonized
tertiary aromatic character of toffee, dried cherry, tea
leaf, sweet tobacco, herbs and cedar. Still in balance, the
acidity retains life on the palate and the remaining tannins
are silkier than ever—a testament to André’s philsophy of
wine’s ability to age. There is much more to these wines
than captivating aromatics and a sensational mouthfeel;
each pour drips of memories and the original inspiration
that continues to drive us today. 1979 in six liter was
the showstopper. Its layers of cherry fruit and lively acid
backbone amazed us all.

While the sediment in the bottle is evidence of maturity in
the ’99 vintage, the deep garnet color in the center of the glass
reveals that this vintage is not over the hill. Dried versions of the
cassis and black cherry primary fruit characteristics with a hint of
vanilla oak remain on the nose, intermingling with the attractive
bouquet of tea leaf, sweet tobacco, leather and autumn spices.
A lively acidity balanced by a firm tannic backbone carries the
whole experience through the very long finish. Holding onto the
fruit aromatics, the 1999 is still in its prime. While it will continue to be enjoyable to those who appreciate an aged wine, the
characteristics developed through bottle aging will likely dominate
the fruit aromatics within the next 2-3 years. This wine should be
decanted off of its sediment and enjoyed immediately or after an
hour or two of breathing.

1980

With a deep garnet hue that continues to the rim of the glass,
the 2002 vintage has yet to show any convincing signs of aging.
The nose is complex and rich with primary notes of blackberry,
blueberry, Bing-cherry pie, vanilla and baking spices, which all
continue over to the palate where the sharp but precise acidity
elevates their expression. The tannins are concentrated and
layered showing tremendous depth and roundness—definitely
still flexing some muscle. While this wine has not yet hit the
balanced sweet spot where the primary fruity aromatics intermingle
with the elegant bouquet of bottle age, it’s no surprise that this is
my favorite vintage of this decade—though 2009 is giving 2002
a run for the money. It is tough not to drink it all up now.
Decant the 2002 off of its sediment and enjoy immediately or
let breathe for a couple of hours.

With dramatic variations in climatic conditions from
one year to the next, Jordan Cabernet Sauvignons from
the ’80s display a range of expression, from clearly
Californian to more reminiscent of a Left Bank
Bordeaux. The 1980 vintage is showing a maturity
similar to those of the late ’70s in which the young
fruitiness has given way to the dried fruit, leather and tealeaf characters of a wine that has passed its sweet spot
but still carries the balance of acidity and tannin structure
to be enjoyable for those who appreciate an aged wine.
This wine should be decanted off of its sediment but no
breathing time is necessary.

these vintages are available for
purchase from jordanwinery.com/shop
or by calling 800-654-1213.

2002

http://www.jordanwinery.com/people/detail/Rob_Davis http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/cabernet_sauvignon/vintages/1977 http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/cabernet_sauvignon/vintages/1999 http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/cabernet_sauvignon/vintages/2002 http://www.jordanwinery.com/wines/cabernet_sauvignon/vintages/1980 http://www.jordanwinery.com/shop

Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 8 - 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 8 - 2013