Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1037369
{ SOMMjournal.com } 119 WINE #5: CLINE 2015 BIG BREAK VINEYARD GRENACHE, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ($60) Presented by Megan Cline, Winemaker/Social Media Manager/ Second-Generation Vintner at Cline Family Cellars After Fred Cline founded Cline Family Cellars in Oakley, California, in 1982, he fermented his rst vintages from select old-vine Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane plantings, several of which date back to the 1880s. While the winery is most often associated with its Ancient Vine Zinfandel label, it's Fred Cline's role as founding member of the Rhône Rangers—a group of winemakers dedicated to popularizing Rhône varieties in the U.S.—that more closely denes the winery's philosophy. In the late 1980s, Cline purchased a 350-acre horse farm in Carneros and moved the winery to Sonoma County, where he planted Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Today the winery remains family-owned and -operated, with Cline now managing vineyards in Carneros, Sonoma Coast (Petaluma Gap), and Contra Costa County (Oakley) with his wife Nancy and daughter Megan, who represented the brand at Game of Wines. In the sandy, well-drained soils of Contra Costa's Big Break Vineyard, Cline's century-old, ungrafted, dry-farmed, and head-pruned Grenache vines benet from a long and arid growing season. During the 2015 harvest, the Gre - nache bunches reached a fully-ripe 25 Brix after undergoing extra hang time. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel with a large proportion of whole berries, followed by ten days of pump-overs and maturation for 12 months in medium-dark toasted American oak barrels (38% new). During her presentation, Megan described the 2015 Grenache as expressive and complex with abundant eu - calyptus notes. Courtesy of the grove bordering Big Break, they lend an alluring minty perfume that wafts from the glass, intertwining with lush cherry and chocolate. On the palate, spectacular pomegranate and licorice avors our - ish on a frame of velvety tannins and bright acidity before nishing with a richly satisfying mouthfeel. "I wanted to show something a little fun and unique that might be challenging for the blind-tasters," Megan said. WINE #6: JORDAN 2003 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY, CALIFORNIA ($100) Presented by Lisa Mattson, Director of Marketing and Com- munication for Jordan Vineyard & Winery Inspired by the great estates of Bordeaux, maverick wine pio - neers Tom and Sally Jordan established Jordan Vineyard & Winery in 1972 as an homage to the time - less connec- tion between food, wine, and hospitality. Located in Sonoma's Al - exander Valley, Jordan endures as one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon brands in California today. Under the guidance of second-generation vintner John Jordan and Rob Davis, the winemaker who's crafted every Jordan vintage since the inaugural 1976, Jordan Vineyard & Winery continues to elevate standards for the American wine industry. At Game of Wines, Jordan Director of Marketing and Communication Lisa Mattson unveiled a Cabernet Sauvignon from the underrated 2003 vintage. "I love pouring underdog vintages," Mattson explained. "A cool, wet spring followed by a summer with extreme heat spikes created many challenges, but the results are wonderful. Fifteen years later, this wine remains fresh, multi-layered, and richly textured." The 2003 was also one of the last vintages made by Tom Jordan before he retired. "Tom adored the wines of Château Late [Rothschild], so his winemaking principle mirrored the style of Bordeaux," Mattson said. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Merlot (15%), Petite Verdot (2%), and Cabernet Franc (2%), the 2003 Jordan Alexander Valley macerated on the skins for 11 days before undergo - ing fermentation in stainless-steel tanks. Aging occurred in French and American oak barrels for 12 months, then in large, upright oak tanks for an additional three. The wine's slightly garnet rim envelopes notes of vibrant blueberry, black currant, cedar, and an alluring hint of bell pepper. Rened and elegant on the palate, it persists with opulent avors of ripe blackberry and plum, dark cocoa, wet ear th, and a kiss of vanilla. With this clas - sic California Cabernet Sauvignon, Tom Jordan apparently achieved his goal of honoring to the great wines of France: The majority of the Game of Wines par ticipants identied the wine as a Bordeaux! Lisa Mattson is "a-head" of the game with the Jordan 2003 Alexander Valley Cab. And there it is: a Grenache from Contra Costa County, CA. Megan Cline of Cline Family Cellars prepares for her respective reveal.