2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet FrancKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Schema

Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

Schema Cabernet Franc 2023 debuts Madelyn Hille’s distinct winemaking perspective, honed through years of dedication at renowned houses such as Pax, Merry Edwards, and Arnot Roberts. With a careful, reflective approach, she’s shaped a wine that reflects her expertise and innate connection to Cabernet Franc. The result is a vivid, unadulterated expression—polished yet seemingly effortless in its clarity and precision.

Sourced from the biodynamically farmed Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley, this wine radiates vibrant finesse. Its mineral-threaded fruit, paired with bright acidity, ignites a lively, energetic palate. At a modest 12% alcohol, it strikes an uncommon harmony—airy and agile yet rich with intricate layers—delivering instant delight while hinting at a graceful evolution over time.

Picked by hand and fermented with native yeasts, this Cabernet Franc matured for 14 months in neutral oak, safeguarding the vineyard’s essence and allowing the grape’s delicate traits to emerge. Departing from the lush, fruit-forward profiles common in many New World renditions, it echoes the lifted, fragrant restraint of the Loire Valley. This wine captures a sense of place, poise, and unembellished purity, weaving together thoughtful farming and masterful winemaking.

Schema
Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023
Retails at: $42

Your Price: $38

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“The Schema 2023 Cabernet Franc from the Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley opens with bright notes of lilac, lavender, raspberry, orange zest, chai tea, earth, and a wet stone minerality. On the palate, the wine has a silky texture with flavors of red cherry, marionberry, pomegranate, white pepper, and aniseed. The wine’s low alcohol level is in a delicate balance with the light to medium body and concentration of flavors, ending in an elegant finish.”

95 Points

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Zialena

Cabernet Sauvignon
Geyserville 2021

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

Zialena redefines the expectations of California Cabernet Sauvignon with wines that radiate purity, precision, and elegance. Known for their bright, concentrated fruit and impeccable balance, Zialena’s Cabernets have quickly become a favorite among enthusiasts. In fact, the 2019 Zialena Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the most re-ordered wines last year, a testament to its universal appeal and extraordinary craftsmanship.

Rooted in legacy, the Mazzoni family has been stewards of their Geyserville property since 1931. Now led by fourth-generation siblings Mark and Lisa Mazzoni, the winery blends history and innovation. Mark’s expertise as a viticulturist—honed through work at prestigious vineyards like Bacchus and Vino Farms—ensures exceptional fruit. His winemaking skills, refined under the mentorship of renowned winemaker Philippe Melka at Vineyard 29, bring an artisan’s touch to every bottle.

Nestled on a historic 120-acre estate in the heart of Alexander Valley, Zialena thrives in a landscape shaped by diverse soils, varied microclimates, and gentle elevations. These natural advantages are masterfully harnessed to produce wines of remarkable character and depth. At an extraordinary value of $32, the 2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon is a must-have for any wine lover, offering a true taste of Alexander Valley in every pour.

Zialena
Cabernet Sauvignon
Geyserville 2021
Retails at: $76

Your Price: $32

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“The Zialena 2021 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the winery’s estate gives aromas of red currants, red and black cherries, a hint of mint, graphite, and forest floor. On the palate, the wine has an elegant balance of acidity and tannins resulting in bright fruit flavors of cranberry, cassis, blackberries, earthy minerality, mocha, and spice. This wine finishes beautifully with layers of eloquence and reminds us why Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in Alexander Valley.”

94 Points

2020 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2020 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

with No Comment $80-$90Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Silver Oak

Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2020

2020 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Silver Oak is a quintessential expression of American winemaking, with a steadfast commitment to American oak. Sourced exclusively from their Missouri cooperage, where this noble wood flourishes, the oak imparts a signature character to every bottle.

Founded in 1972 within the walls of a dairy barn, Silver Oak emerged from a partnership between Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer. Their visionary goal: crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley’s premier vineyards near Oakville and the Silverado Trail. This aspiration is encapsulated in the winery’s name.

Today, Silver Oak cultivates vineyards in Napa and Alexander Valley, each terroir contributing its unique essence to the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. While oak aging remains constant, the wines evolve with the subtleties of the land.

The 2020 Alexander Valley is a testament to this philosophy. A precise blend of 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.1% Merlot, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.7% Petit Verdot, and 0.6% Malbec, this wine is a meticulous composition that showcases the innovation and unwavering dedication behind this enduring classic.

Silver Oak
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2020
Retails at: $100

Your Price: $89.99

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“The Silver Oak 2020 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is elegantly opulent and opens with aromas of lavender, dill, cedar, blackberry pie, baking spices, and white pepper. On the palate, the wine has a round, supple texture and flavors of black cherries, plums, coconut, cinnamon raisin toast, and savory spice. This wine is enjoyable immediately after the cork is pulled, and still has the concentration and structure to age for years to come.”

95 Points

2020 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2020 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2020

2020 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

In the heart of Alexander Valley, Jordan Winery shines as a symbol of sustainable practices and exceptional winemaking. Nestled amidst 1,200 acres of pristine land, over 75% of which remains untouched, the estate reflects a profound respect for the natural environment. This commitment to biodiversity and environmental stewardship underscores Jordan’s dedication to responsible viticulture.

Founded in 1972 by Tom and Sally Jordan and now proudly carried forward by their son, John, the winery embodies a harmonious blend of passion and purpose. This philosophy is beautifully expressed in the 2020 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Crafted from a selection of estate vineyards and trusted family growers, this vintage is a masterful composition, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with complementary notes of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. After 13 months of careful aging in French oak, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon unfolds with captivating elegance. Vibrant fruit flavors dance alongside velvety tannins, culminating in a complex finish that lingers on the palate.

A timeless expression of Alexander Valley’s unique terroir and Jordan’s unwavering pursuit of excellence, this wine is destined to age gracefully, offering years of enjoyment.

Jordan
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2020

Your Price: $59.99

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“With lower alcohol than most California Cabs, this elegant beauty revives an old-world acidity that levels out with freshness on the palate that relates to its excellent food-pairing abilities. Plum, anise, tilled soil, and Italian herbs integrate with a luxe mouthfeel.”

96 Points

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Eco Terreno

Cuvée Tierra 2020
Alexander Valley

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

Eco Terreno’s 2020 Cuvée Tierra is a testament to sustainable winemaking, a harmonious blend of quality, value, and environmental consciousness. Rooted in the rich terroir of Alexander Valley, this wine embodies the essence of biodynamic farming, where the vineyard’s health and ecosystem take precedence.

Founded by renowned winemaker Mark Lyon, formerly of Sebastiani Vineyards, Eco Terreno brings decades of expertise to crafting exceptional wines. The 2020 Cuvée Tierra, a Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, showcases the estate’s commitment to producing wines of depth and character.

Crafted from estate-grown fruit, the 2020 Cuvée Tierra captures the rustic elegance and earthy undertones of its Alexander Valley origin. Each taste reveals layers of dark fruit, subtle spice, and the hallmark dustiness of the valley’s terroir, offering an experience that’s rarely found in this value range.

Eco Terreno
Cuvée Tierra 2020
Alexander Valley

Your Price: $27

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“The Eco Terreno 2020 Cuvée Tierra opens with a complex and inviting bouquet of rose petals, dried thyme, black raspberry, plum, a hint of pie crust, hot chocolate, and a subtle earthy undertone. On the palate, there are flavors of black cherry, hot chocolate, and espresso beans, adding a comforting dimension with savory undertones. The wine has soft, velvety tannins and supple fruits, leading to a long and satisfying finish of harmonious fruit, spice, and earth unique to Alexander Valley.”

94 Points

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

ZIALENA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

Our tasting panel was immediately enamored by this wine and wondered how we’d never heard of it before. The winery sits on a 120-acre property in Alexander Valley that dates back to the early 1900s when Giuseppe Mazzoni immigrated from Carrara, Italy, and became a grape farmer and winemaker after joining the Italian Swiss Colony. 

The vineyards are situated in a prime location with exceptional terroir, including a combination of soil types, microclimates, and elevation changes that contribute to the unique characteristics found in Zialena wines.

The Winery is committed to sustainable farming practices and employs environmentally friendly methods in the vineyards, focusing on handcrafted, small-lot production wines. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is the second vintage fermented in custom concrete eggs using the egg’s natural convection to stir the lees and create an elegant structure with a soft texture and ultimate concentrated flavor complexity.

ZIALENA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

Your Price: $38

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“The Zialena 2022 Geyserville Sauvignon Blanc opens with beautiful aromatics, including elderflower, gardenia, ripe citrus and tropical fruits, and a creamy lemon custard. On the palate, the wine has zippy acidity balanced with concentrated flavors of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit, melon, and wet stone minerality. The wine has a touch of creaminess on the mouthfeel and a long, dynamic finish.”

94 Point

2018 Lancaster Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

2018 Lancaster Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Alexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

LANCASTER

2018 WINEMAKER’S CUVEE 
ALEXANDER VALLEY

2018 Lancaster Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley
Millions of years ago, volcanic and seismic activity shaped much of Alexander Valley, leaving the area with dozens of unique soil types and microclimates, proven to produce savory and delicious Bordeaux-style blends. Lancaster’s hillside estate soils are nutrient deficient, forcing the vine to concentrate more on survival and less on green leaf growth, ideal for growing grapes with distinct character and varietal expression.
 
Each vintage brings opportunities to learn and improve, so viticulturist Brian Malone and winemaker David Drake work closely to monitor small vineyard changes with satellite mapping and climatic analysis from vineyard weather stations. Every vineyard block is evaluated for each microclimate’s most superior clones and rootstocks, producing wines that boast robust flavors and compete with some of Napa Valley’s finest red wines. 
 
LANCASTER
2018 WINEMAKER’S CUVEE 
ALEXANDER VALLEY
Retails at: $85
 
Your Price: $69.99
 
 
“The 2018 Winemaker’s Cuvee is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Medium ruby, it has pretty scents of Morello cherries, cigar box, lavender and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate is approachable straight from the bottle, with grainy tannins, refreshing acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish.” 
93 Points
2019 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

2019 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtKnight's ValleySonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

DETAILS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 SONOMA COUNTY

2019 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Details Cabernet fuses superior talent, assiduous fruit selection, and rigorous science in creating their value-focused Cabernet, which hails from the Sonoma, Knights, and Alexander Valleys. Their team, let by Ryan Knoth, who previously worked under the tutelage of icons David Abreu, Michel Rolland, and Fredrik Johansson at Staglin, handpicks the fruit to precise analytics equating to optimized flavors and aromas. 
 
Masterfully blending four of Bordeaux’s top five varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, then adding Petite Sirah, Sinegal’s winemaking team’s obsessive attention to detail paid off. Their efforts result in an enchanting wine that tastes like it should be much more expensive.
 
DETAILS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Details is obviously a very young wine, but its freshness and energy are so compelling. Spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and dried herbs are some of the many notes that grace the 2019. Even in the early going, the 2019 is positively stellar. Franc aromatics and a distinct savoriness from the Petit Verdot add so much character. This may be the best vintage yet. I loved it.”
93-95 Points
2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill

2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STONEMASON HILL
ALEXANDER VALLEY 

2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill
Designed to expose a vineyard’s most defining characteristics and deliver them with transparency, richness, intensity, and balance, Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet offers relentless value, unprovoked by trends or production costs. Nick Goldschmidt hand-selected Stonemason Hill Vineyard after recognizing the distinct character and terroir of the vineyard would ensure the continued stylistic goals that made the brand so successful.
 
At 500 feet elevation in Alexander Valley, Stonemason Hill is near Rattlesnake Hill and Blue Rock Vineyards, where low-yielding 31-year-old-vines grown in Sandy and Bale loam produce concentrated fruit with striking characteristics. 
 
Nick Goldschmidt is a global winemaker with decades of experience making wine in California, New Zealand, and Argentina. His 2019 Stonemason Hill Cabernet is 100% single-varietal and out-performs most Cabernets at double its price.
 
KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STONEMASON HILL
ALEXANDER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $24
 
 
“Intense purple and reds in color. The aromatics are opulent and very floral. Black fruits of black cherry and plum were a common theme. The mouth follows with rich dark fruits of blackberry, plum, and some licorice texture. Lush ripe tannins, full body and the nice creamy velvet tongue-wrapping flavor. Drink now or over the next 10 years… if you can wait that long!”
2018 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

2018 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonChalk HillDry Creek ValleyKevin VogtKnight's ValleySonomaUSA

DETAILS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 SONOMA COUNTY

2018 Details Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Details Cabernet fuses superior talent, assiduous fruit selection, and rigorous science in creating their value-focused Cabernet. Their commitment to excellence and obsessive attention to detail paid off, resulting in an enchanting wine that tastes like it should be much more expensive. We were among the first to feature it last August, before any scores. Recently, Vinous reviewed it, alerting readers to this “ridiculous value.” At $33, it’s a wine everybody should try. 
 
Sourced from a hillside vineyard located on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains, behind Oakville, this wine also incorporates fruit from Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek, and Chalk Hill for increased definition. Their team handpicks the fruit to precise analytics, equating to optimized flavors and aromas. 
 
Details is a new project by the owners of Sinegal, and Ryan Knoth makes the wines. Ryan gained valuable experience working under the tutelage of icons David Abreu, Michel Rolland, and Fredrik Johansson at Staglin Vineyards. He also worked with Jim Barbour and Philippe Melka at Gandona Estate.
 
DETAILS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at: $40
 
Your Price: $33
 
 
“The 2018 Details Cabernet Sauvignon is a new project from David Sinegal and winemaker Ryan Knoth made from a collection of top sites in Sonoma County, with a strong focus on Moon Mountain. Silky, yet powerful, with striking depth, the 2018 is simply magnificent. Readers will find a mid-weight, savory Cabernet Sauvignon. Best of all, the 2018 is a ridiculous value in today’s world.”
93 Points
 
“A value-priced release from this terrific estate, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon DETAILS checks in as 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% each of Merlot and Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all aged 16 months in 55% new oak. Lots of ripe black cherry and blueberry fruits, notes of vanilla bean, cedar, and tobacco, medium to full-bodied richness, and notable purity all make for a delicious Napa Valley Cabernet that won’t break the bank. Enjoy bottles over the coming 7-8 years.”
91 Points