Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
As for Stonestreet’s red wines, these were by far the strongest efforts I have ever tasted from this estate. The five 2012 cuvées I tasted are all from amazing elevations. For example, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate comes from vineyards between 500 and 2,400 foot elevations. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in 30% new French oak, it exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as a terrific nose of wet pebbles, blueberries, blackcurrants, lead pencil shavings and charcoal presented in a full-bodied, rich, concentrated style. There are 5,350 cases of this superb Cabernet Sauvignon, which has 15-20 years of evolution ahead of it.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dusty cedar and a faintness of rose open this wine, like walking into a lovely forest at the edge of a garden. Along with a delicate supporting role of oak and tannin, it offers black cherry, graphite and dried herb to enjoy, as well as a powerful hit of concentration on the finish.
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.