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92 Pts | Wine Enthusiast | August 2023
92 Pts | Jeb Dunnuck | July 2023
94 Pts | Tasting Panel | February 2022
Tasting Notes
This full-bodied, aromatic Cabernet Sauvignon reveals pronounced fruit and spice with each sip. Notes of wild blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, and savory spices expand on the mid-palate extending to a long, rich finish with velvety tannins.
Vintage Notes
The 2019 harvest began before dawn on August 30 after a growing season that started with record rainfall during winter and ended with warm, even temperatures. With few heat spikes, our vineyards had optimal conditions to develop full-flavored fruit with remarkable color and balanced acidity. Spring rains ended in time for good fruit set, and the temperate summer allowed for long hang times and consistent, even ripening. We picked the majority of our fruit in September, and the weather continued to cooperate through the end of harvest in October.
Vineyard Notes
The fruit for our Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is grown at high elevations on sloped hillsides with good drainage. Climbing as high as 1400 feet along the sun-drenched, western-facing slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, the fruit sits well above the fog line. Naturally protected from the wind, the area’s dry, hot days combine with bracingly cold nights, which puts an element of stress on the vines resulting in small clusters, small berries, and intensified flavors.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were hand-sorted and underwent a two-day cold soak prior to fermentation to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine was then aged in French oak barrels, 55% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging before bottling.
