Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Merlot 2005
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby in color, this concentrated Alexander Valley Merlot offers classic aromas of ripe black plum, blueberry and currant. The core of vibrant fruit balances nicely with the soft, round tannins creating a lush and juicy mouthfeel. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, which come from aging in oak barrels, meld nicely with the rich fruit and lead to a long, velvety finish.
"Intense aromas of plum, leather and oak. Rich, creamy flavors of black cherry and blackberry. Chewy tannins and impressions of black cherry and mocha in the lingering close."
-Wine News
Other Vintages
2007-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Spirits
Wine &
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
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.