This vintage almost didn't make it

During Chinese New Year, we hosted a blind tasting event in NYC. Everyone brought a bottle between $15 to $100. Everyone tasted every bottle without knowing the labels and rated their preference.

The crowd favorite that night?

Jordan, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley

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2020 California started out amazing for the grape. The Sonoma County had a warm winter (not much frost), a mild spring (the grapes ripen evenly), and only a couple short heat spikes during the summer. This year was tracking to be an amazing vintage.

But, sometimes things just turn for the worst.

In August, there were thousands of lightning strikes that caused wildfires (aka The Walbridge Fire). Luckily, it was far enough away from the Alexander Valley vineyard so smoke drift wasn’t too much of a concern. But, prior wildfires was still fresh memory, so the crew was on edge.

Historically, the vineyard had harvest intern programs that had seasoned people come in to harvest the grapes. But 2020 was mid COVID, and the pandemic travel restrictions put a temporary stop to these programs. Without the usual workforce, the entire team, even the sale department, learned to plan grapevines, pump the must, and operate the hopper.

You think that has to be the end of the bad luck. But another wildfire broke out in the neighboring Napa Valley during peak harvest. The smoke went straight towards Alexander Valley. Racing against time, the crew picked all the remaining grapes. In order to store it all, they covered the grape gondolas with dry ice which acted like a refrigerated vault.

They year, the yield was down just 15 to 20%, in the middle of wildfires and a pandemic. Every business gets a season that tests it. The ones that last aren’t waiting for clear skies, they learn to harvest in less than ideal situations.

This is a bottle you bring out when you’re firing up the grill and someone says, “Let’s open something good.” Perfect when you want to casually impress your friends without making it a big deal.

If the plan involves good food, good company, and maybe going back for a second glass, this wine fits right in.

This isn’t a “crack it and crush it” bottle. It’s a sit down and pay attention wine.

🥂 Starter: Burrata with roasted tomatoes & balsamic glaze
Roasted cherry tomoates with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Serve it over some creamy burrata with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
The richness of the cheese softens the Cab’s tannins, and the roasted tomatoes bring out the dark fruit.

🍽️ Main course: Grilled ribeye with herb butter
Keep it simple (salt, pepper, high heat). Finish with a some garlic-herb butter over the top.
Cab and steak are a classic pairing for a reason. The fat in the ribeye smooths out the structure of the wine, and the wine cuts through the richness.

Vegetarian option: Portobello mushroom burger with caramelized onions.

🍎 Dessert: Dark chocolate lava cake
Warm, rich, and slightly bittersweet.
A dessert that isn’t overly sugary allows the wine to shine, and the dark chocolate highlights the Cab’s cocoa and berry notes.