Showing posts with label Alexander Valley Vineyards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander Valley Vineyards. Show all posts

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 - a blockbuster release !



For after church Sunday Brunch dinner we opened the just released, highly acclaimed 2013 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon. With daughter Erin past her due date for our new grand-baby, this was likely the last dinner with the 'four-Forts' before baby makes five. 
The 2013 Napa Cab's are coming and all indications are that it is a blockbuster vintage, one of those where all boats rise with the tide, such that all earnest producers should have notable collectible releases, one for the consumer to rejoice and stock up. 
The Clos du Val received spectacular ratings and appears to be one of those rare wines that come along every so often where everything comes together for a high QPR (Quality Price Ratio) highest rated wine at a moderate price point. 

 Since it is still available in distribution, we wanted to try it to determine whether we should buy more while it is still available. All indications are this is a collectible wine that also affords near term gratification at an every day/week price - a $50 wine for $30. 
 Don't be surprised if the Producer and Distribution exploit the notoriety of high ratings to drive up the price as often happens in such circumstances. We've seen over the years such situations where certain producers take the long term view, maintaining their price point for the goodwill of the brand, while others exploit their short lived fame for quick fortune. 
Ideally, there will be several other similarly situated releases in this vintage so as to provide a mother-load for consumers and great windfalls for producers' and their brand and image, despite such exclusivity. 
 This was a delicious perfect complement to our Sunday grilled flank steak dinner. 

Pop and pour this for very pleasurable easy drinking but allow an hour or so for the true character and flavors to begin to reveal themselves. 
Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, a symphony of smooth polished complex flavors - tightly wound blackberry, black cherry, hints of plum and currant fruits accented by tones of black tea, black olive, hints of vanilla, light toast, and tobacco on the finely integrated supple sinewy tannin finish. 

RM 93-94 points. 

Pick some up for drinking now, and for putting some away to try over the coming years. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2122040

Vin Chicago describes it this way. "Even more impressive than the flavors is the structure. The tannins are powerful and youthful, yet as nuanced and integrated as you'll find in some of the world's best Cabernet or Bordeaux."
Vinous, Antonio Galloni gave it 95+ Points, (October 2015).


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

 Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 

Medium bodied - pleasurable easy drinking wine, not very complex but showing a predominant layer of sweet oak tinged vanilla and mocha with a hint of anise integrated into the black cherry and dark berry fruit flavors. Very nice complement to the grilled filet of beef with lettuce wedge, blue cheese, red onions and tomato salad at the Grand Cafe at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Good value in this modestly priced Sonoma Cabernet generally available for $16-18.

RM 88 points.