Winemaker Notes
The year 2016 was a good one for grapes in the northern part of Sonoma County. Our cooler vineyard sites had the unique advantage of a long and moderate growing season. With this mellow, even weather, our fruit ripened gently. The result: deep flavors with complex, integrated tannins, and lively characteristics that make this vintage one of our best.
Four hillside Cabernet vineyard sites, all with mineral-rich volcanic soils, are always the first focus of this blend. In 2016, our Merlot harvest was particularly incredible, yielding stunning acidity with full and silky tannins. It was a perfect partner to the vivid fruit profile of our Alexander Valley Cabernet vineyards. This year's blend of the two achieves an uncommon, sophisticated balance.
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
Similar colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 50% new French oak) offers slightly more graphite and crushed rock as well as rich black fruits, tobacco, cedar pencil, and earthy aromas and flavors. It's a rich, full-bodied, chewy wine that has good acidity, plenty of tannins, and an outstanding finish.
-
James Suckling
This is sourced and designed according to soil type and comes from four parcels on the eastern side of the Alexander Valley, all on volcanic hillside sites. The mulberries and blackcurrants here are laced with raspberries and there’s also cedar, leather and dark, spicy wood. The palate has a succulent, suave and supple feel with such lithe and juicy appeal. The richness and attractively fresh texture is stunning. 93% cabernet and 7% merlot. Drink or hold.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 7% Merlot and was aged 18 months in 50% new oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it has a mineral-driven nose of gravel dust, cassis, crushed black plum, bay leaf, soil and cocoa with notes of grilled beef, a classy framing of new oak spice and loads of red fruit accents. The palate is medium to full-bodied, rich and plush with mineral and spice seamlessly woven into the fruit layers. It's framed by über ripe, pixelated tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and seamless. 2,300 cases produced.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Soft and silky with a backbone of lush velvety texture, this is an impressively delicious wine, tasting of blueberry mocha. With firm integrated tannins and restrained oak, it offers quiet power that persists in layers of flavor and complexity
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.