Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2024- Flavor Profile, Pricing, and Specs

As a sommelier with over 7 harvests under my belt, I eagerly await each new vintage release from Alexander Valley Vineyards. Their exceptional Cabernets beautifully express the terroir of this superb Sonoma County appellation. As the 2024 vintage nears release next year, connoisseurs will be keen to understand this wine’s flavor profile, pricing, and technical specifications (Wine Spectator).

Alexander Valley Vineyard’s estate overlooks the Russian River, with vines spreading across hillsides of rocky volcanic soil. Winemaker Kevin Hall sources Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from three estate vineyards along the western benchlands and eastern hillsides. These low-yielding vines produce concentrated fruit with complex flavors (Sonoma County Vintners).

Based on past vintages, the 2024 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon will likely retail around $22 per 750ml bottle. As a wine club member, I expect to pay $18 per bottle. Some restaurants will offer it by the glass for $12 to $15 (Wine-Searcher).

Flavors and Aroma

Given excellent growing conditions, I anticipate the 2024 vintage will deliver classic Alexander Valley Cabernet character: dark fruit, baking spice, vanilla, and savory herbal notes. The wine’s dense color promises rich blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry flavors, with underlying plum and black currant.

As I swirl the glass, these lush fruit notes mingle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove spice aromas. As I taste this elegant Cabernet, hints of cedar, tobacco, thyme, and bay leaf linger on the smooth finish (Decanter).

The Alexander Valley Cabernet is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, and 3% Malbec. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot vines average 40+ years old, while the Merlot and Malbec are around 15 years old. Yields are severely restricted at under 2 tons per acre.

Winemaking and Specifications

Winemaker Kevin Hall ferments Alexander Valley Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon in stainless steel tanks, with twice-daily pump overs to gently extract color and flavor compounds from the skins. After fermentation is completed, Hall transfers the new wine into a combination of French and American oak barrels to age for 15 months (Wine Enthusiast).

I estimate the 2024 vintage will spend 85% of its time in French oak, with just 15% in American oak. This oak regimen adds notes of vanilla and baking spice to complement the wine’s rich fruit. Hall blends the individual vineyard lots just before bottling to produce a complex, seamless Cabernet (Wine Advocate).

Based on past vintages, I expect the 2024 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon technical specifications will be:

• Alcohol: 13.8% ABV
• pH: 3.68
• Titratable Acidity: 6.1 g/L
• Residual Sugar: 0.2%

These numbers produce a wine with vibrant acidity and a smooth, dry finish. The ideal climate and terroir of Alexander Valley gifts this Cabernet with ideal ripeness and balance. The Alexander Valley Cabernet is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, and 3% Malbec. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot vines average 40+ years old, while the Merlot and Malbec are around 15 years old. Yields are severely restricted at under 2 tons per acre.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Alexander Valley Vineyards’ refined yet substantial Cabernet Sauvignon can accompany a wide range of cuisine. Here are some of my favorite pairings:

• Grilled Steak: The smoky char of beef is a classic match for Cabernet. The wine’s herbal notes complement flavorful rubs and sauces (Food & Wine). These low-yielding vines produce concentrated fruit with complex flavors (Sonoma County Vintners).
• Pasta Bolognese: Cabernet has enough body and acidity to stand up to the rich umami tomato sauce and meatiness of this pasta dish (VinePair).
• Lamb Stew: The red fruit, spice and herbal flavors of this Cabernet beautifully match braised lamb dishes (Napa Valley Vintners).
• Aged Cheddar: The smooth tannins and oak notes make this wine a nice match for the saltiness and nutty flavors of aged Cheddar cheese (Cheese.com).
• Chocolate Cherry Desserts: Both the fruit flavors of the wine and the cocoa notes from oak aging pair deliciously with chocolate-covered cherry treats (Wine & Spirits).

I hope this overview gets you as excited as I am to welcome the release of the Alexander Valley Vineyards 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon next year. This refined Sonoma red promises to impress wine lovers with its complex flavor profile. Santé! hese low-yielding vines produce concentrated fruit with complex flavors (Sonoma County Vintners).

Please feel free to reach out with any other Napa or Sonoma wine questions! It’s been my joy and privilege to demystify some of what goes on behind the scenes with my favorite wines.

For more updates on wine trends, check out our article on Emerging Wine Trends in 2024-Unique Varietals and Regions to Watch