Winemaker Notes
This 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon pours an opaque aubergine. Classic and delightfully intense cherry juice concentrate aromas are complemented by star anise, nutmeg, vanilla bean and pomegranate notes. Ensuing flavors are of Bing cherry, Danish Zoute drops and Guatemalan coffee. Texturally it is taut, vibrant with a buoyancy that glissades across the palate with only a youthful bounce of fine tannin.
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 2% St. Macaire, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Following an exquisite entry of melted chocolate and cherry, tannins possess an athletic prowess within the muscular mouthfeel of the well-balanced, rounded palate. Spiced cedar and purple plum are texturally satisfying on the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Black pepper and black olive nuances blend with black cherries and dark choc- olate in this medium- to full-bodied wine that includes 24% Malbec. An elegant feel, silky texture and nicely restrained flavors give the wine a charm all its own. Best through 2030.
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.