Tag Archives: alexander valley

Chateau St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Alexander Valley, USA

28 Thursday Dec 2017

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Inky purple in the glass.  I am really hoping for an extracted powerhouse, that’s what I am in the mood for.  The nose has black currants, a hint of oak, some cinnamon and fig paste.  On the palate I am ecstatic- it is full bodied, tannic and surely a mouthful. Black fruits intertwine with the brooding tannins, mouthwatering acidity and smoky notes.  A great level of balance even though this wine is very tannic right now.  It needs several years in the cellar to soften unless you need a dry wine right now, or have a Vinturi to run it through.  The wine later exhibits some black cherry and eucalyptus, only to be overshadowed on the finish by the tannins.  I think this wine will develop nicely and am going with 91 points.  For $24 it’s hardly a steal but gets 4 stars from me.  Pair now with hearty game, Prime Rib or a char-grilled Porterhouse.  Salut….

Clos du Bois Marlstone, Alexander Valley, USA 2012

23 Friday Dec 2016

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I started to suffer ‘Palate Fatigue’, otherwise known as getting tipsy when we finally got around to this sleek Meritage blend from California’s Alexander Valley.  Very dark extracted purple in the glass.  A nose of mulled plum, black stone fruits and violet.  The initial taste is plums, blueberry and a floral bouquet.  The mid palate shows off more blue fruits and a generous tannic backbone that hold this wine together.  The acidity is very subdued and the finish is medium in length.  I love this style of Bordeaux blend with a large majority (72%) Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot for roundness, 5% Petit Verdot for some tannic backbone, a smidge of Malbec and some Cabernet Franc for the softness and floral notes.  90 points from me make this $40 offering a 3 star wine and a serious contender for space in the cellar.  Drink now till 2022 and pair with any roasted meats, hearty pasta dishes or even some charcuterie beside a winters fire.  Salut….
clos du bois marlstone

Alexander Valley Vineyard Wine Club Reserve 2012

19 Tuesday May 2015

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Next in my tasting series from Alexander Valley Vineyard is this gem.  45% Cab Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot makes this a Meritage in anyone’s books.  How I love Cab Franc and more importantly how it melds into the Bordeaux style blend !  This was one bottle I was looking forward to.

Dark purple with a nose of black currant, eucalyptus, wood shavings and pencil lead. On the palate is a vibrant, somewhat tannic attack of currants, black berries and more  graphite. Very young wine with a good cellaring potential. 89 points with a drinking window of 2016-2022. (Or you could run it through a Vinturi and pair it with a ribeye!)  I paid $24 at the winery and give it 3 stars.  Salut….

alexander valley vineyards wine club reserve

Ridgeline Vineyards Meritage 2010

20 Thursday Mar 2014

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I bought this one on ratings and write-ups, having never heard of it before.  It started out with plums and a woody note on the nose with an interesting initial attack that was slightly sour.  I noticed a tremendous acidity, perhaps too much??  The flavors that I came across on the first pass were red currants and raspberry.  The wine is silky with deep, smooth tannins.  Later on I noticed blueberry on the back end with some coffee.  This wine is very juicy, related to the acidity perhaps.  It was a little sharp when first opened but seemed to mellow out after some air time.  I’m not a huge fan of this wine but I think it is serviceable.  I have seen up to 92 points from critics on this one, I am not sure I agree- giving it 88 instead.  I paid $18 and therefore award it 3 stars.  Salut….

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