Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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Tasting Panel
Smooth and balanced with deep plum, spice and berry fruit; juicy, fresh and crisp with fine structure and style; long and fresh. 10% Petite Sirah.
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Wine Enthusiast
Billowy, expansive tannins remain round and approachable on the palate of this generously ripe wine, juicy in black cherry and plum. The robust fruit is complemented by savory tinges of cedar and leather.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The outstanding 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is slightly more expensive, but a beauty. It has some hefty alcohol at 14.8%, and spends 14 months in a combination of French, American and Hungarian small casks. More earthy and tannic than its Sonoma cousin, but rich, extracted, dark ruby/purple, with loads of cassis, earth, spice box and cedar wood, this is a rich, classic Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that’s made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Sirah. It should drink well for 10-15 years.
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A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.