Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is typically one of the softer, rounder manifestations of the varietal. This is the more open-structured of our two Cabernet bottlings, which reveals its accessible, yet substantial and age-worthy personality. Rich, plummy, lightly herbal, and toasty, with mild cassis character, this unfined, unfiltered wine will complement a wide variety of foods for many years.

Compared with the 2007 Sonoma County Cabernet, this has more verve and more red-fruit character – a little less supple at this early stage, more mouth-watering – less for salmon, more for beef. The cassis character from the grape marries well with the moderate use of new French oak which tends to lift the perfumes of the wine so well when used appropriately. Our Alexander Valley bottlings have aged and developed extremely well over the decade that we have been producing them. This should be no exception. In fact, it has the stuffing to run an extremely long race if allowed to. I don’t keep enough of these in library, which I should do something about. 260 cases produced.

Release price: $38 per bottle