Sometimes the Winellama writes about wine and sometimes she writes about an experience. This time, she’s writing about an experience topped by equally outstanding wine.

We pulled up for the trade tasting at Jordan in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley and thoroughly enjoyed our time with Sally who knowledgeably led us through the crush pad, fermentation and barrel rooms and into the library for a tasting of the 2008 and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignons.

Artfully paired with quince paste, heritage pork belly and figs, honey and three cheeses – one a black truffle triple creme Brie from Marin – crostinis, Jordan’s 2015 estate grown olive oil and chive – the wines shone.

Jordan specializes in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and I ended up leaving with a 2003 Cab (stay tuned for that post). It was tight choice though between that and the 2008 which came from a tough vintage. There was so much frost that year they almost lost the crop – and then through the extremely hot summer, the grapes were quite stressed.

Slender and restrained, but with excellent structure and depth, the 2008 showed aromas of Byng cherry and pomegranate with flavours of blackberry and cassis with light clove, cinnamon, kid leather and grippy tannins.

I actually tasted this in 2013, so it’s interesting to see how it has evolved, but also retained its carpentry over the past 3 years.

Following the tasting we met up with the indomitable Lisa Mattson and enjoyed a walk through the garden – replete with melons, berries, figs, apples, pears, herbs and tomatoes. The drought has made everything in the region tinder dry and Jordan’s property is no exception. But they have their own onsite reclamation pools and farm sustainably and responsibly.

Another home run – the wine, the atmosphere, the people – Jordan has outdone itself again.