A representative from Alexander Valley Winery will be coming in to lead a Cabernet Sauvignon component tasting for us. Alexander Valley is prestigious family-owned winery in northern Sonoma County, California. Most of their production is reds. In addition to their great Cabernet, they produce several Zins (with labels you will love) and a great dry Gewurztraminer (called “New Gewurz”).
The tasting will be broken into two parts. First, we will have a guided tasting of the components of their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Five wines go into the blend–Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (i.e. all of the Bordeaux varietals). You will have the opportunity to taste each of them, then compare them to the finished Cabernet Sauvignon. We will then have a “palate cleansing” break with the “New Gewurz” (bottles shared between tables) and move on to the 3 Zinfandels. There will be 3 different appellations (California, Alexander Valley, and Dry Creek Valley), so you will have a chance to compare the flavor nuances of the different styles and appellations.
I selected two special cheeses to go with the wines, both of which should pair very well with the red wines. One of them is new to us–Garrotxa from the Catalonian part of Spain. It is an aged goat milk cheese. The other is an old favorite, Gorgonzola Picante from Italy. And Carlos has promised me a very good one!
1. 2005 Estate Cabernet (Alexander Valley) – $25
2. 2006 New Gerwurz – $12
3. 2005 Temptation Zinfandel (California) – $15
4. 2005 Sin Zin (Alexander Valley) -
5. 2005 Zin (Dry Creek Valley) -
Cheeses:
Garrotxa (aged goat from Catalonia)
Gorgonzola Picante (cow’s milk blue cheese from Italy)
Obviously interesting to taste all the components or a Bordeaux style wine. Good thing I’m not the wine maker. What was interesting to me is that I preferred the Cab Franc to everything. The Merlot was rougher than expected and the Malbec was unlike any Argentine Malbec but the finished product was a complete book with subtexts to the overall story shining through. The Gerwurz while not my favorite as many as you know could have used a bit more sugar to bring out the spice. As tempted as I was the Temptation tasted more like a South African Pinotage/Grenache but it had 8 percent Sangoviese – Crazy as Aerosmith would say. As for the Sin Zin I can see why this is one of the best selling Zins on the market. Easy to drink and drunk before you know whats happening. Yes, father I have sinned and I was ready for Redemption and it came full force. Thank you Lord, may I have another?