Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Bordeaux-inspired Alexander Valley red wine at 13.6% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 96 points by Tasting Panel magazine, this vintage also earned 94 points from Decanter and 93 points from Wine Enthusiast — a strong showing across three respected publications that underscores the quality of the 2019 growing season in Sonoma County.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.6%  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Winery: Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Production & Heritage

Jordan Vineyard & Winery, founded in 1972 in Alexander Valley, has long drawn inspiration from the great estates of Bordeaux. The 2019 vintage is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec. After harvest, the young wines are combined in large upright oak vats inside Jordan's European-style grand hall — one of the few such facilities in American winemaking — to create what the winery calls the "barrel blend" before transferring to 100% French oak barrels for aging. This practice of blending before barrel maturation, rather than after, contributes significantly to the wine's integrated, seamless texture and is a distinguishing step in Jordan's production philosophy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense ripe black cherry and blackberry greet the nose first, layered with graphite and a striking violet floral note. Deeper sniffs reveal cassis, cacao, and anise rising from the glass.

Taste: The entry is plush and immediate — black and red fruits explode across the palate with a juice-like, silky texture. Mid-palate, white-peppered black raspberry and balsamic notes emerge alongside subtle Italian herbs. The tannins are illustrious and glossy, framing a classic Alexander Valley profile of black cherries, black olives, and toasted oak without any aggressive grip.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with softening Earl Grey tea character that gently replaces the fruit. A whisper of oak spice and dried herbs lingers, pulling you back to the glass.

How to Drink Jordan 2019

This wine shows beautifully at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 minutes of decanting. Its silky tannin structure and moderate 13.6% ABV make it equally rewarding neat or alongside food, though it rarely needs more than a brief aeration to open fully. For cocktail-adjacent pairings: a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well with Jordan's fruit-forward generosity; a New York Sour benefits from the wine's dark cherry intensity as a float; and a simple red wine spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist highlights the wine's bright acidity on warm afternoons.

Best For

• Gifting a Bordeaux-style wine lover seeking top-scoring California expressions
• Anchoring a dinner party centered on grilled or roasted red meats
• Cellaring for mid-term aging over the next five to eight years
• Marking a milestone from the 2019 vintage year

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jordan 2019 taste like? The dominant flavors are ripe black cherry, blackberry, and black olive supported by toasted oak, graphite, and a glossy tannic texture. A distinctive Earl Grey tea note emerges on the finish, giving it a refined, layered quality.

How does Jordan 2019 compare to Washington State Cabernet Sauvignons? At least one critic noted in a blind tasting that the 2019 vintage's restrained, structured profile more closely resembled a Washington Cabernet than a typical California one. Jordan's moderate 13.6% ABV and Bordeaux-influenced blending approach yield a wine with more finesse and herbal nuance than many riper, higher-alcohol Napa or Sonoma peers.

Is Jordan 2019 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its silky tannins, balanced acidity, and layered aromatics make it an outstanding wine to drink on its own, especially after a brief decant to let the violet and graphite notes fully emerge.

Where is Jordan 2019 made? Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon is produced at Jordan Vineyard & Winery in Alexander Valley, a sub-appellation of Sonoma County in Northern California known for its warm days, cool nights, and well-drained benchland soils ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Jordan 2019? Herb-crusted rack of lamb mirrors the wine's Italian herb and black olive notes. Grilled ribeye steak complements the toasted oak and dark fruit. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the wine's savory depth. Braised short ribs match the silky texture. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the cacao and cassis aromas.

What sizes does Jordan 2019 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, and Jordan typically also offers half bottles (375ml), magnums (1.5L), and select large formats for library vintages.

Is Jordan 2019 worth the price? Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon positions as a premium Alexander Valley expression — not entry-level, but well below ultra-premium cult bottlings. With three critic scores of 93 points or above and a proven aging track record, the 2019 vintage represents strong value within the upper tier of Sonoma Cabernet.

Why Jordan 2019?

The 2019 vintage stands out for its convergence of critical acclaim — 96 points from Tasting Panel, 94 from Decanter, and 93 from Wine Enthusiast — a rare trifecta for any sub-$100 California Cabernet. Jordan's distinctive pre-barrel blending in large upright oak vats, a practice modeled after traditional European cellars, gives this wine a seamless integration of fruit and oak that many competitors achieve only at higher price points. The Bordeaux-style four-grape blend at a restrained 13.6% ABV resists the trend toward overextraction, delivering complexity without weight. For drinkers seeking an Alexander Valley Cabernet that prioritizes elegance and structure over sheer power, the 2019 is among the strongest recent Jordan releases.