Stuhlmuller Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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Wilfred
Wong - Decanter
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
This is one of the best bargains amongst ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignons. When I tasted the 2013 Stuhlmuller Vineyards from the Alexander Valley, my thoughts immediately drifted into a higher price category. This wine is tightly-knit with aromas and flavors of black currants, chalk and savory herbs. While it is not one of your big, extracted styled Cabernets, this is one that will attract fans of Old World styled wines. Just beginning to drink nicely, it will benefit with couple of years in the bottle. Perfect with grilled lamb chops now. (Tasted: July 5, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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Decanter
Lifted aromas of violets and earth give this a seductive personality. Concentrated and robust but not tough or harsh. Leather notes indicate development, and one senses this may evolve fast.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wine
Enthusiast
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Robert
Parker
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Wilfred
Wong
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Robert
Parker
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Wine
Enthusiast
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.