Cabernet Sauvignon in a big bottle, great for parties!
In the late 1960s we bottled a few cases of Cabernet Sauvignon for friends and family. Those first few cases of homemade wine inspired the vision for our estate winery, Alexander Valley Vineyards. Decades later both our winery and this iconic valley are known for our flagship wine Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2018 growing season began a bit cooler than the past few vintages, but we had a near perfect fruit set with moderate summer temperatures and relatively few heat spikes. The mild weather led to a longer hang time, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly with excellent flavors and balanced natural acidity. The wine was aged for 14 months in 25% new French and American oak barrels.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Alexander Valley wine with medium body, great fruit flavors and smooth, structured tannins. Winemaker Kevin Hall added 6% Merlot for structure, a touch of Cabernet Franc for floral notes and Malbec and Petit Verdot for color.
This is an elegant wine with aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, vanilla, oak and chocolate. In the glass there are lush flavors of cherry, cassis, blackberry and chocolate. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon evolves with each sip. This is a graceful wine with great balance and a long, lingering finish. While fruit forward upon release, this wine will reward those with the patience to lay down a few bottles.
Accolades:
2018: 91 points & Gold Medal - London Wine Competition
2018: 90 points & Gold Medal - Beverage Testing Institute
2018: Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2018: Gold Medal - San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
