NV J Cuvee 20 Brut estate spotlight
The market on this bottle
U.S. shop listings for this bottle, before sales tax. Auctions and clearance specials are left out. The main-listing low is $23.98, so this bottle is $24. Checked 2026-10-06.
Russian River Valley Brut
NV J Vineyards Cuvee 20 Brut, Russian River Valley, USA
Cuvee 20 began in 2006, when Judy Jordan marked the 20th anniversary of J.
Judy Jordan first made Cuvee 20 in 2006, for the 20th anniversary of J, a Russian River Valley brut. James Suckling scored it 94. The bottle is $24.
Three to four years, then crab
Nicole Hitchcock is estate director and head winemaker. Wine Enthusiast named her Winemaker of the Year in 2022. She says Cuvee 20 takes three to four years, and she drinks it with Dungeness crab.
James Suckling scored it 94, and Wine Advocate scored the June 2025 disgorgement 91. If she gives this brut that much time and still drinks it with crab, why is it not the bottle you chill?
The founder
Judy Jordan founded J, and Cuvee 20 was first made in 2006 for the 20th anniversary.
The place
This is a Russian River Valley brut.
The cellar
Nicole Hitchcock says Cuvee 20 takes three to four years, and she drinks it with Dungeness crab.
The scores
James Suckling scored it 94 in September 2025, and Wine Advocate scored the June 2025 disgorgement 91 in August 2026.
Suckling 94, and Wine Advocate 91
James Suckling scored Cuvee 20 a 94 in September 2025 and wrote that the wine is primarily 2017 fruit: light, dry, with brioche, white pepper, citrus, ginger, and grilled baguette.
Wine Advocate scored the June 2025 disgorgement 91 in August 2026. The house glass is toasted almond, Braeburn apple, dried cranberry, ginger snap, lemon meringue, and cream, with a lively finish.
Brioche, ginger, and lemon meringue
Start with brioche, white pepper, citrus, ginger, and grilled baguette. The house adds toasted almond, Braeburn apple, dried cranberry, ginger snap, and lemon meringue, then cream and a lively finish.
The brut is $24. Twelve bottles ship free in the lower 48. Hawaii and Alaska are quoted on their own.
Brioche, grilled baguette, white pepper, citrus, and ginger.
Toasted almond, Braeburn apple, dried cranberry, and ginger snap.
Lemon meringue and cream, then a lively finish.
Three to four years before the cork comes off
Nicole Hitchcock says Cuvee 20 takes three to four years, and the current note is built mostly on 2017 fruit.
The wine is a Russian River Valley brut. Hitchcock is estate director and head winemaker, and Wine Enthusiast named her Winemaker of the Year in 2022.
She says the cuvee takes three to four years. James Suckling's September 2025 note calls the wine primarily 2017 fruit.
Wine Advocate's 91 is for the June 2025 disgorgement, reviewed in August 2026. She drinks Cuvee 20 with Dungeness crab.
Judy's anniversary brut
Judy Jordan founded J, and Cuvee 20 was the bottle she made for the 20th year.
Judy Jordan founded J. The house is in the Russian River Valley.
The first Cuvee 20 was made in 2006, for that 20th anniversary.
Nicole Hitchcock is now estate director and head winemaker. She says this brut takes three to four years.
Dungeness crab, then fried chicken
Nicole Hitchcock drinks Cuvee 20 with Dungeness crab. Fried chicken is the second plate for a light, dry brut.
Two plates. Dungeness crab, which is how Hitchcock drinks this brut, and fried chicken for the brioche and the dry line.
Serve it cool. It does not need a long decant.
Steamed Dungeness crab
Live Dungeness crabs are steamed until the shells turn bright orange, then served with lemon-garlic butter.
Why it works: Hitchcock drinks Cuvee 20 with Dungeness crab, and the brut is light and dry enough to stay out of the way.
View Recipe for Steamed Dungeness crab (opens in a new tab)Southern fried chicken
Buttermilk-brined chicken, dredged and fried until the crust is deep brown.
Why it works: A dry brut with brioche in the glass can take the crust of fried chicken.
View Recipe for Southern fried chicken (opens in a new tab)Chill the brut
James Suckling scored Cuvee 20 a 94. The bottle is $24.
Set the brut beside Dungeness crab.
