Overripe flavors of raisins and prunes mar this Cabernet Sauvignon, despite the fact that the vintage was so cool. The wine is marked by the soft tannins and herbaceousness that you often find in an Alexander Valley Cabernet. Not ageable, so drink up. — S.H. (3/1/2012)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
"For those looking for a leaner, earthier but still-stylish cabernet, this is the ticket. It’s very dry, with soft Alexander Valley tannins and flavors of blackberries, cherries and herbs. This elegant young wine could easily develop fascinating bottle complexities over the next 8-10 years." —S.H.
"Loads of plum, black currant and cherry notes intermixed with underbrush and earth jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Alexander Valley Cabernet doesn’t get the respect it merits, as this wine demonstrates. Blueberry and raspberry notes are also there in this complex, exceptionally supple, round and generous Cabernet Sauvignon. It can be drunk now or cellared up to a decade."
Vivid Ruby. Musky redcurrant and cherry on the nose, with notes of tobacco and herbs giving an old-school bordeaux impression. Firm, focused red fruit flavors gain flesh and sweetness with air and pick up suggestion of darker fruit. Dusty tannins add grip and focus to the long, chewy finish. I like this wine's blend of depth and vivacity. Josh Raynolds
"The medium to full-bodied 2007 Sabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue as well as notes of licorice, black currents, spice box, and earth. With airing, it also displays notions of tobacco leaf and cedar. Consume this beauty over the next decade."
"Firm, concentrated and well-balanced, with dense, chewy cedary currant, anise, spice and nutmet notes that are full-bodied and tannic, with herb and spice. Drink now through 2014...."
"Sweet, earth-infused black currant and black cherry fruit is accompanied by a wine-exhibiting excellent depth, a full-bodied mouthfeel, no hard edges, and hints of Chinese black tea and spicy oak. Consume it over the next decade...."
"Shows the soft acids, gentle tannins and herbaceousness that mark most Alexander Valley Cabs, with supporting cherry, red currant and licorice flavors. It's a complex wine, balanced and intriguing, and a fine pairing for a very wide variety of foods. Interestingly, indigenous, or wild, yeast was use..."
"Starts out rich and creamy, with currant and berry flavors that are complex and concentrated, even rustic and earthy. Keeps its focus, offering depth and dimension and ending with pure currant and cherry fruit that's long and persistent. Drink now through 2013. 2,278 cases made. –JL ..."
"The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon's dark ruby color is followed by an earthy nose displaying hints of bay leaf, leather, spice, black cherries, and currants. Drink the medium-bodied, spicy cabernet over the next 7-8 years. ..."
"This is a young dynamic wine that's fancy enough to have with your best food. It shows well-ripened fruit flavors, and is very dry, with a good boost of acidity. Also has some pretty good tannins to cut through beef. I think it is at its best now and for the next three years.-S.H. ..."
"A fleshy, full-bodied Cabernet with Excellent flavor (black cherry, toast) and moderate tannins. Long Finish. One of the best Cabernets of the Vintage. (2002-2004) ..."
"Well-crafted, with a rustic, earthy, minerally edge to the core of beefy currant, tar, sage and herb notes, with a dash of mocha. It finishes with dry, chunky tannins. Drink now through 2007. 700 cases made.? J.L. ..."
"Medium-dark ruby; attractive, forward, rich cedary, ripe black cherry fruit aroma with notes of dill and creamy oak; medium-full to full body; big, rich, dense, cedary, oaky, spicy, ripe red currant flavors with a full mouth feel; full tannin; slightly chalky finish; lingering aftertaste. Highly rec..."
"How Stuhlmuller accomplished the richness of this wine in “’98 is a mystery (until you find out they harvested their hillside estate the second week in October, long enough after the rains.) The wine is bursting with ripeness, with an expansive palate of cool, foresty, cherry fruit. The tannins ..."
"Suave texture with lush plum and bright acidity; long and lively, balanced and charming."