Winemaker Notes
This wine delivers the epitome of complexity and depth. The combination of warm climate and alluvial and gravelly loam soil found on our estate is ideal for creating balanced wines of concentration and richness. Dark purple in the glass, this wine opens with aromas of indulgent, dark berry fruit with savory undertones and notes of toasted oak. The palate is full bodied with multilayered flavors of black cherry, currant, tobacco and graphite.
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Marsanne
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Winemaker's Cuvee Red Blend is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. A saturated red color, it opens in the glass to reveal a luxurious and layered profile with notes of cassis, menthol, polished leather, and mocha. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, it’s generous, offering a balanced and ripe feel without feeling weighty, and it has an elegantly rich and tapered finish.
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James Suckling
This solidly built, brawny wine is full-bodied, ripe in flavor and moderately tannic. Toasted walnuts, roasted plums and tawny spices are braced by good, sandy tannins. Drink or hold.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.