Winemaker Notes
The Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with roasted, broiled or barbecued game and red meats such as lamb, beef, pork and veal. Medium and strong-flavored cheeses, such as blue cheese or sharp Cheddar, also pair nicely with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The outstanding 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley displays classy notes of charcoal, camphor, blackcurrants, licorice and forest floor. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, a nicely layered mouthfeel, and an accessible personality, it spent 16 months in French oak, a component that frames the wine but does not intrude on the aromatics or flavors. This beauty showcases the high quality Cabernet Sauvignon that often comes from Alexander Valley. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
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Wine Spectator
Combines a taut, rich core of dense dark berry, earth, cedar and tobacco flavors with a measure of elegance and finesse that emerges toward the finish. Drink now through 2026.
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.