The Contemporary Austin
Go Back to Class
RECEIVED Mon., July 1, 2019
Dear Editor,
I’ve commented on Wes’ wine knowledge before, and will do it again. In his most recent column ["Weekend Wine: American Cabernet Sauvignon," Daily Food, June 29], he writes about Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet, stating:
“This is old style California Napa Cab – I mean that in the very best way – made in the style of Napa’s Cabs from before a famous wine writer convinced the American public to prefer extremely thick, dense red wines. Instead, what we get here is the best of traditional French techniques married to the highest quality Napa grapes.”
I think Jordan is a nice $60-ish dollar wine. However, Wes again reveals his lack of knowledge of Napa Cabs. First, painting a broad brush that Napa Cabs are seemingly all ”thick and dense“ shows that he is not sampling enough wines, or at least enough quality wines from Napa. And not every wine needs to be a Bordeaux style to be good, by the way.
Second, and more egregious, is his comment that the Jordan Alexander Valley Cab uses the “highest quality Napa grapes.” Jordan is, by its very title (and feel free to check their website) made from Alexander Valley grapes – Sonoma, not Napa.
Wes needs to go back to class.
I’ve commented on Wes’ wine knowledge before, and will do it again. In his most recent column ["Weekend Wine: American Cabernet Sauvignon," Daily Food, June 29], he writes about Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet, stating:
“This is old style California Napa Cab – I mean that in the very best way – made in the style of Napa’s Cabs from before a famous wine writer convinced the American public to prefer extremely thick, dense red wines. Instead, what we get here is the best of traditional French techniques married to the highest quality Napa grapes.”
I think Jordan is a nice $60-ish dollar wine. However, Wes again reveals his lack of knowledge of Napa Cabs. First, painting a broad brush that Napa Cabs are seemingly all ”thick and dense“ shows that he is not sampling enough wines, or at least enough quality wines from Napa. And not every wine needs to be a Bordeaux style to be good, by the way.
Second, and more egregious, is his comment that the Jordan Alexander Valley Cab uses the “highest quality Napa grapes.” Jordan is, by its very title (and feel free to check their website) made from Alexander Valley grapes – Sonoma, not Napa.
Wes needs to go back to class.
Mark Taylor
