Winemaker's Notes
All of our Cabernet Sauvignons originate from the family vineyard. However, the soils and rootstocks vary so it is not surprising to end up with a couple different expressions of the grape in the area. We bottle part with only the ‘Alexander Valley’ designation and the rest with the Vineyard designation.
Bottled just days before harvest began this year after nearly 4 years in barrel, it promises a very long life as the classic versions of this variety should deliver. As I mentioned for the release of the 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, my winemaking for this bottling has evolved from a slightly traditional gestalt to more of a Burgundian approach of no racking at all until bottling after nearly double the typical time in barrel. It suits the fruit well and I think the wines are better for it as we don’t squander the material’s long term oxygen appetite by handling in the open air. The result with this 2019 wine is truly remarkable. It is a very special vintage for this variety in the area (as 2023 appears to be). The approach has layered textures and nuances that at this early stage of the wine’s life and I am immensely impressed with the promise this has in addition to how compelling it is so soon after bottling. Sometimes, you can have it both ways.
Cassis, slight vanilla, classic old-school Cabernet character on the nose. Structure and body are in balance. Having worked at a winery for several years right out of college where Andre Tchelistcheff consulted in the 1980’s, I think this is the type of Cab that would have made his eyes sparkle. [he also had a disdain for Zinfandel, for which I forgive him. As much as he loved Pinot Noir, I think he would have appreciated our style of Zin very much].
Two days after opening the bottle, it shows epic integration and seamlessness. While really plush and complex, it has a juicy, perfect level of acidity and enough red fruit pop on the finish like a well-placed crescendo in a musical composition. It has the stuffing to age a very long time.
