Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, which is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is their biggest cuvée of 3,640 cases. It is scheduled for bottling in January of 2015. Hints of graphite, black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit with some licorice, loamy soil, vanilla and spice box are all present in this medium to full-bodied wine. It’s full-bodied and relatively opulent with a nice tannic structure in the background. This should drink well for 15-20 years. Range: 90-92+
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The Lancaster Estate—a stalwart winery in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley—has produced one of the vintage's top wines. Located in the southernmost tip of Alexander Valley, next to Knights Valley and Chalk Hill, this winery has produced a string of consistent and fine vintages. The wine's relatively smooth tannins, persistent red fruit and savory nuances make it an easy wine to match for the erstwhile chef. Perhaps a pairing with roast chicken salad would be in order? This wine drinks well now and will improve over a decade's time. (Tasted: June 13, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
Well done in a Bordeaux style, this shows dusty, cedary cigar box and tobacco notes amid graphite accents and gravel-laced tannins. The tannins have grip on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 3,640 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.