Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon starts out with fresh red and dark fruit aromas pomegranate and wild blackberry with notes of graphite and bay laurel undertones. As the wine opens in the glass, deep fruit flavors of plum skin and cranberry alongside bright cocoa dance on the palate. The mouthfeel is rich and inviting, framed with fine grain tannins, that support the fresh and vibrant finish.
Blend: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Merlot and 0.5% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Bright purple fruit with lifted notes of bramble berries, violets and bergamot. The palate is full-bodied with chewy tannins, a lush mouthfeel, fine acidity and notes of dark plums, cocoa, sage and red peppercorns. A blend of multiple blocks made up of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaill amounts of petit verdot, merlot and malbec. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Inky black/purple-hued, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is expressive, leaping from the glass with its packed aromas of wood spices, toasted cedar, preserved blackberries, and resinous tobacco. Full-bodied, it reveals a sanguine, iron-rich mineral profile that’s forward on the palate, with mouthwatering tension, ripe tannins, and good balance on the finish. It’s a very appealing wine that’s starting to drink well now. Drink 2024-2034.
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.