Winemaker's Notes
This is 100% Scherrer vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that speaks more of the region than the specific site. Fortunately, this appears to be a vintage that will ‘open up’ a bit sooner than the previous two vintages. I am very pleased with both 2003 Cabs as well as the Cabernet ‘Vin Rouge’ offered right after bottling last Spring. The vineyard designate will be released in November.
This 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has inviting initial aromas of cassis, sweet vanilla and freshly tilled loam. On the mouth, ample, round, but firmly-centered tannins are balanced by moderately soft acidity. Black fruits are the first flavors spiced up with hints of leather, then back to cassis and fresh loam toward the finish finally leaving a red fruit tone. In other words, it has all the things I value in California Cabernet-based wines, along with an added bonus of a little red fruit pop at the very end. For those of us who eat red meat, this will truly shine with animals that say “moo” or “baa.”
