Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with roasted, broiled or barbecued heavy 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 this wine.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Also from Alexander Valley, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve reveals more chocolate and barbecue smoke intertwined with blackcurrants. There is also slightly more structure and wood/oak characteristics than in the regular 2012 Cabernet. I did not like it any better, but it is meant for longer-term cellaring. Forget it for 1-2 years and drink it over the following 12-15 years.
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Wine Spectator
Tightly structured, with a snappy core of tannins framing the dark berry, sage and savory herb flavors. This lacks generosity now, but the finish is long and focused, so cellar for the short term. Drink now through 2026. 3,938 cases made.
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.