Why 2021 is a Classic Vintage for Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

After back-to-back years full of drama, the 2021 vintage was a welcome return to normalcy. The growing season brought dry conditions and moderate temperatures, creating the perfect environment for slow, even ripening. Showcasing the elegance and structure that make Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon so distinctive, the 2021 vintage turned out to be a true stunner with intense flavors and great complexity.

Here are four reasons 2021 is a classic vintage for Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon.

Excellent Spring Weather Brought Healthy Growth

Beautiful weather prevailed during the spring season despite the dry conditions, leading to a balanced bud break and healthy shoot growth. High winds during flowering reduced the crop size for Jordan’s merlot, but cabernet sauvignon had yet to flower and did not experience wind impacts.

Harvest Happened Right on Time

The weather during harvest can make or break a vintage, and this year, nature was a great collaborator. Harvest arrived with mild temperatures and ideal conditions, which allowed the Jordan winemaking team to pick the fruit at peak maturity while preserving its freshness and acidity.

Small Berries Brought Complexity

Due to the year’s drought conditions, Jordan’s cabernet sauvignon berries were smaller than normal. The greater skin-to-juice ratio of smaller berries can sometimes lead to higher-than-normal tannins in the grapes, so Jordan’s grower relations manager procured some exceptional merlot to soften the cabernet sauvignon tannins. The smaller berries and lower yields helped the grapes develop exceptional concentration and complexity, resulting in a cabernet sauvignon with dark fruit flavors, refined tannins and impressive balance.

Only the Best Made the Blend

After malolactic fermentation, the Jordan winemaking team blind-tasted and ranked individual wine lots, then assembled them into a “barrel blend.” After the wine spent a year in barrels, the team reassessed the blend and combined only the top lots to create the final master blend for the 2021 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is deep and complex, with Old World cabernet sauvignon character.