Black plum, blackberry and pencil lead aromas waft from the nose of this wine. The palate is soft and plush, with flavors of dark berry, bitter cocoa and black pepper emerging along the finish. There’s plenty of stuffing here for aging.

92pts James Suckling

A good, sturdy, full-bodied red that delivers powerful dark fruit flavors on a hefty, tannic texture. The blackberry, blueberry, graphite and cocoa flavors are juicy and delicious

91pts Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from the oldest vines (32 years) and highest elevation on the property (500 feet), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley has the addition of 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot and was aged in 25% new oak barrels for two years. Boasting an Inky red color, it’s warming in the glass, with notes of scorched earth, baked plum, toasted spices, and warming cedar. Full-bodied and ripe throughout, it has an appealing lushness, ripe tannins, and a velvety mouthfeel.

Winemaker Notes

The 2021 vintage showcases the ripeness expected from a low rainfall and very warm vintage. The aromatic profile is rich with ripe boysenberry, crushed rock, and dried herbs. The palate has tremendous breadth and length with flavors of black cherry, creme de menthe, and graham while savory, spice elements of cinnamon, black tea and cocoa round out the finish. Most reflective of their volcanic soil and sloped aspect are the layers of fine-grained tannin showing a great interplay of finesse, density, and tension. Countless blending trials determined the subtle use of Petit Verdot and Merlot accentuated roundness, complexity and dark fruit nuances while ensuring the Cabernet Sauvignon character remained paramount. Aged in 100% French Oak barrels with 25% being New Medium and Medium Plus toasted barrels to provide richness, layers of flavors and texture. The remaining 75% are second and third fill French Oak barrels providing preservation and respect of the fruit notes and sweet, subtle tactile nuances. 24 months of oak aging provides the necessary interaction between wine and oak to round out and soften the mouthfeel while adding generosity and refinement to the palate.

Enjoy with filets, short ribs, and T-bones grilled or broiled, with salt, pepper and olive oil, or topped with herbed red wine reduction sauces. Aged cheddar and most other hard cheeses will pair nicely as well. The balance of this wine makes it an easy pairing.

Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot