Catching up with 2002 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon

The notes on their website for the 2002 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon proclaim the vintage as the decade's best while also comparing the wine to Left-Bank Bordeaux. I decided to test my 2002 out this past weekend to see how the wine was drinking as it nears ten years of age.

Jordan of course is known for being a hugely popular brand in restaurants and retail, and also for their epic chateau and hospitality. What gets lost in all the panache is how balanced and elegant (and consistently good!) their two wines (Alexander Valley and Russian River Chardonnay) are vintage after vintage. The Chardonnay at around $25-$30 and the Cabernet at around $40-$50 are always very solid buys, especially when you find a retailer discounting them.

What's also sometimes lost is Jordan's intrinsic link to the history of California wine. Jordan was a pioneering winery in the Alexander Valley AVA. André Tchelistcheff, the legendary and seminal figure in California wine, was Jordan's consulting enologist. Tchelistcheff hired Rob Davis as winemaker in 1972, who is still the winemaker today.

The 2002 is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot with splashes of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It  was aged in barrel (65% French and 35% American oak) for 12 months with an additional 3 months in large American oak tanks, before an additional 17 months in bottle before release. The grapes come from Jordan's Alexander Valley estate as well as select Alexander Valley growers.

The notes come after a three hour decant- Full dark ruby color lightening at its edges. Kicks off with notes of currant, cassis, cedar & spice that carry though to the palate. Finely structured with medium weight. Layered fruit flavors with cedar/spice oak notes that open up a bit with air. Balanced and nuanced. Fine round tannins still holding. Medium finish. Still going strong. (rating- I like+!)

I think the wine is in a peak phase and can hold for several more years. It was equally strong on day two. To the website's point on the Left Bank Bordeaux comparison- it was similar in flavor and structure to the 2005 Clos Du Marquis that I opened a week prior- both very enjoyable!