Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Alexander Valley wine with medium body, great fruit flavors and smooth, structured tannins. Winemaker Kevin Hall added 13% Merlot for structure, a touch of Cabernet Franc for floral notes and Malbec and Petit Verdot for color.There are aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, slight blueberry, vanilla, oak and chocolate. In the glass there are rich flavors of cherry, cassis, blackberry and chocolate. This is a fruit forward wine with lush flavors, nice balance and a long, silky finish. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 13%, Malbec 3%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Petit Verdot 2%
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: There is something to say about a wine that one can drink right out of the chute. The 2016 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon drinks exceptionally well out of the chute. TASTING NOTES: This wine is primed for the dinner table. Its aromas and black fruit flavors show up bright and fresh. Pair its open-knit style with a juicy grilled ribeye. (Tasted: August 17, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.