The name “Jordan” means down flowing. One couldn’t think of a better name for a winery that is nestled in the hills of Alexander Valley with the Russian River meandering its way down towards the Pacific. However, the name is actually a family name. Jordan Winery is a family enterprise started in 1972 by Tom Jordan, the dad, who wanted to focus on two varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Today, John Jordan, the son, runs this winery with a passion and knowledge that comes from knowing the land his entire life. These 38 years later, Jordan Winery still only makes two varietals of wine and the passion and knowledge is in every bottle.
To make their world-renowned Cabernet, the Jordan Estate grows a few acres of Merlot and Petit Verdot that add balance and complexity. Grown entirely in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, the red varietals are blended with care yet purpose. You can just taste it when you pour a glass, especially in their newest release of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is a definite "wow. If you don’t know what silk tastes like, then you haven’t had the Jordan 2006 Cabernet. Soft, round tannins lots of dark fruit and that charred, vanillin flavor that comes from good wood aging. With one year of aging in combination French and American barrels and two years in the bottle before its release, the wine was handled a bit like a Spanish Reserva.
This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2010.