I picked up this bottle of 1987 Jordan Cabernet about a month ago. I was looking for 1987 wines (it’s my birth year) and got this for about $55. Zero expectations going into this and had a back up bottle ready in case this was a sink dumper.

The full level was reassuring, and it had one owner until it was turned over for auction, so I figured – why not.

I opened it this evening. The cork was in terrific condition. Zero mold under the capsule, and the cork came out really easily with the Durand.

Upon pouring a color sample – I took a sniff and this thing smelled like a Bordeaux. I know these older vintages of Jordan were modeled more as a Bordeaux style rather than a Napa fruit-bomb, but I did not expect the nose to be so prominent still. The nose was dried red fruit and a bit of spice. The color was ruby, a bit on the light side, but nothing that was concerning to me.

Upon pouring a glass and tasting – initially this needed about 30 minutes to open up. Once it started to hit its stride, it had red fruit, cedar, and eventually I did get hints of graphite. This thing had such good acidity still, with the tannins just subtly on the end.

This was really a surprise and a pleasant one at that. This bottle must have been cared for over the years. This was really fun to have.

by southside_jim

6 Comments

  1. OG-Always-Forever

    How or where did you find this for $55? Jordan was the favorite winery on my first Sonoma trip decades ago.

  2. MeesterMeeseeks

    Napa fruit bomb is an interesting description of a Sonoma wine lol

  3. Thanks for sharing!

    Since you’re 1987, it was an awesome year in Napa and some of the 1987s I drank recently are in great shape, including Groth, Duckhorn, Stag’s Leap, Beringer Private Reserve, and Spring Mountain. 

    I have a lot of close friends born in 1987, so I’ve been saving a lot of wine for their 40th birthdays. Highly recommend doing the same for yourself! 

  4. Intelligent-Spread45

    I actually salivated throughout the entire read – I might have a problem.

    Congrats on a great experience!

  5. JD_tubeguy

    Nice note I often find very old Cali cabs have a resemblance to Bordeaux.