AVV never disappoints for me, vintage after vintage. Their classic dark fruit, sweet tobacco on the palette. Nose is a heavy perfume of leather, and a slight funk, more than any other vintage from AVV I can recall. Excited to get another bottle for collection.
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Unexpectedly complex, with some funky barnyard type notes complementing appealing dark fruit and a bit of green pepper. Real Cabernet; unusual at the pricepoint.
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The wine was very thin on the front, and it did not fill out over the two days the bottle was open. Fruit was mostly dark fruits with a vegetal flavor. There was little oak or tannin.
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With air the nose shows red and black currants, cherries, swirling the glass brings out some oak. Palate is medium full body, quite nice with lively acid bringing lots of tension, purple and red fruit, little bit of rocky earth, good tannic structure. Finish brings out a lot of crushed rock character, maybe even floral, cherry with time, and drying tannins.
I’m pretty shocked by this. I’ve had $75 Napa cab that wasn’t this good. $10 for a half bottle! Lots of acid and tannins giving this wine some stuffing for the price. The fruit isn’t particularly deep or layered, but the rocky-acid-tannin character brings some character to the party.
Drink now or within the next 3-5 years.
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House favorite and one who drinks well north of price point. Deep long finish, great legs and satisfying nose. Medium plus and lighter on color that expected.
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Sourced from a single (organically farmed) estate vineyard in the Alexander Valley, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottling delivers a lot of bang for the buck. Fermented and aged for 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (38% new), it is a deep ruby wine that favors the red side of the fruit spectrum. Montmorency cherry, raspberry, baking spice, bittersweet chocolate and tree bark aromas are followed by similar flavors on a medium-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic (14.0%) palate. The silky-textured tannins are medium in weight and the oak is well-assimilated. Solid on the mid-palate and medium in length on the back end, this is an easy-drinking Cab that will have broad appeal. This particular bottle was uncorked and poured, not requiring much aeration time to showcase its assets. Enjoy it over the next five years. Drink now-2026.
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While this has drying tannins at the moment and needs some time to soften, it is a well-balanced CA cab with mint/eucalyptus and cedar to go along with the blackcurrant. Makes me think of a high-performing cru bourgeois from a decent Bordeaux vintage. A solid and enjoyable wine overall, but if you need your cabs to be overblown blackberry cream monsters, stay away
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Not as good as others. A little too much tobacco and leather and not particularly well balanced. Maybe another year in bottle. But still, for the price it was good but I liked the 2017s better.
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Nose: red and black fruits currant, plum, cranberries, menthol, anise, a floral component, vanilla perfume., hint of oak or coconut.
Taste: tight red berries, plum, anise, clove, tannic oak on finish.
Tightly wound, a bit astringent. I would have guessed a cooler vintage. More of an old school food wine - more Bordeaux like than Cali, should improve a bit with more cellar time.
Alexander Valley produces some serious high-end Cabernet Sauvignons. This is not one of them, but it has the significant benefit of being priced below $20. You could do worse, but it is not a particularly satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Less sweet and mint aromas than last vintage. Slightly heavy on the tartaric acid. Mouth filling red fruit without too much trickery. Maybe better that the 2017 vintage and still a great qpr
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Need a nightcap and this was the only red wine in the Marriotts refrigerator after the bar closed at 10.
Nose is rough in a way that I think bags of wood chips rather than wood barrels were used to impart the harsh nuances they’re trying to pull off. This isn’t a horrible or undrinkable wine, but if it’s memorable it’s not in a good way....
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Nose: Deep dark fruits and an almost inky quality found in much pricier Cabs (almost perfumed). Traces of tree moss also present. Incredible nose for a wine at this price point. Palate: Really accessible in its youth this soft styled Cab rocks it with plum and spicy blackberry. Always liked AVV Cabs but this is one of the best vintages of this. SO glad I bought a case at only $16/bottle! Drinks like a $35 Cab.
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House mid-week favorite. Amazing QPR, medium+ body with long lush finish. Admirably pairable with most dinner selections or by it self without culinary selections.
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Consistently strong and amazing QPR. Medium plus bodies, structured and tasty tannins with a long subtle and desirable finish. Highly recommended and house favorite.
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P&P'd. Best without any prep or time. Amazing QPR ~$13 at Total Wine with case discount. Great legs, nose and finish. Enjoyable with or without food and drinks well above price point. Highly recommended.
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Great QPR, medium plus body and finish. Deep garnet coloring and desirable presence of oak and tannins. Preferred it unaerated, straight up without any time or decanting. Lost a little legs after day one. A solid choice regardless of dining selection or day. Will impressive your crowd, even before announcing the price point.
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Lots of fruit purity and textural charm. Combines black raspberries, red fruit, and spicy oak with a nice backbone and serious complexity. It's youthful, tightly-wound, full-bodied, and punches way above its weight. I could drink this every day.
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Said to be a cab dominated blend of 87% Cabernet, 6% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 4% Cab Franc & 1% Petit Verdot. PnP & slow ox in glass 2-1/2 hours prior to dinner. Semi opaque ruby red with magenta rim. Exceedingly well balanced, tasty and inviting. Slight fruit jam but the tannins keep this energetic, fresh and relatively weightless for CA Cab blends. The mix of fruit and spices offers very good depth for just $17. alc 14% I'll likely grab one more for future week night drinking variety. Toasty 90 degree day lead me to use my ice bucket quite a bit to keep this in low low 60s where it drinks best.
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2/24/2024 - Uff Da wrote: 92 Points
AVV never disappoints for me, vintage after vintage. Their classic dark fruit, sweet tobacco on the palette. Nose is a heavy perfume of leather, and a slight funk, more than any other vintage from AVV I can recall. Excited to get another bottle for collection.
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10/20/2023 - corkcellar wrote: 90 Points
Really singing right now.
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1/29/2023 - jmull Likes this wine: 90 Points
Unexpectedly complex, with some funky barnyard type notes complementing appealing dark fruit and a bit of green pepper. Real Cabernet; unusual at the pricepoint.
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12/6/2022 - wtianseter wrote: 85 Points
The wine was very thin on the front, and it did not fill out over the two days the bottle was open. Fruit was mostly dark fruits with a vegetal flavor. There was little oak or tannin.
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12/4/2022 - rickycambier wrote: 88 Points
88
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12/2/2022 - jpkc Likes this wine:
Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is from Sonoma not Napa. The Alexander Valley Appellation is Sonoma County's largest AVA
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11/23/2022 - cphd Likes this wine: 87 Points
Too Young, tannic
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10/27/2022 - srogers1 wrote: 85 Points
Fruity notes with just hint of oak. 6 months on the lees gives it a bit of a buttery quality, but it’s subtle
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7/22/2022 - TBaylog Likes this wine: 89 Points
Easy drinking but lacks structure and finish.
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6/21/2022 - jpkc Likes this wine: 89 Points
Needs a few years
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4/6/2022 - erwanlemoing wrote:
Gift
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3/23/2022 - LEEJV123 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium full body, fruity, round, balanced.
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3/5/2022 - joshandjeff Likes this wine: 88 Points
This is a solid cab for a decent price. Approachable enough to drink on its own or to have with some red meat
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2/23/2022 - Twopawsup Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep ruby color with slow legs. Oak, cassis and blackberry on the nose. Plum, black cherry and vanilla on the palate. Long velvety finish.
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2/10/2022 - Rbhan12 Likes this wine: 90 Points
From 375 screwcap.
With air the nose shows red and black currants, cherries, swirling the glass brings out some oak. Palate is medium full body, quite nice with lively acid bringing lots of tension, purple and red fruit, little bit of rocky earth, good tannic structure. Finish brings out a lot of crushed rock character, maybe even floral, cherry with time, and drying tannins.
I’m pretty shocked by this. I’ve had $75 Napa cab that wasn’t this good. $10 for a half bottle! Lots of acid and tannins giving this wine some stuffing for the price. The fruit isn’t particularly deep or layered, but the rocky-acid-tannin character brings some character to the party.
Drink now or within the next 3-5 years.
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1/27/2022 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
House favorite and one who drinks well north of price point. Deep long finish, great legs and satisfying nose. Medium plus and lighter on color that expected.
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1/17/2022 - PNIELSEN Likes this wine: 91 Points
My favorite vintage in recent memory. Simply outstanding for the price. Has aging potential as well.
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12/31/2021 - KC Wine Enthusiast Likes this wine: 93 Points
NYE 2021 Blind Tasting (Home): 14.0% ABV Great fruit flavors; vanilla, oak, and chocolate.
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11/23/2021 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 88 Points
Sourced from a single (organically farmed) estate vineyard in the Alexander Valley, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottling delivers a lot of bang for the buck. Fermented and aged for 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (38% new), it is a deep ruby wine that favors the red side of the fruit spectrum. Montmorency cherry, raspberry, baking spice, bittersweet chocolate and tree bark aromas are followed by similar flavors on a medium-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic (14.0%) palate. The silky-textured tannins are medium in weight and the oak is well-assimilated. Solid on the mid-palate and medium in length on the back end, this is an easy-drinking Cab that will have broad appeal. This particular bottle was uncorked and poured, not requiring much aeration time to showcase its assets. Enjoy it over the next five years. Drink now-2026.
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9/11/2021 - Everything Ahead wrote: 89 Points
While this has drying tannins at the moment and needs some time to soften, it is a well-balanced CA cab with mint/eucalyptus and cedar to go along with the blackcurrant. Makes me think of a high-performing cru bourgeois from a decent Bordeaux vintage. A solid and enjoyable wine overall, but if you need your cabs to be overblown blackberry cream monsters, stay away
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9/8/2021 - ghoztly Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Thin, very peppery, bell pepper, raspberry tones, metallic, short tart finish. Won’t buy again.
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8/26/2021 - jsjones wrote: 83 Points
Not as good as others. A little too much tobacco and leather and not particularly well balanced. Maybe another year in bottle. But still, for the price it was good but I liked the 2017s better.
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8/6/2021 - Cfrenkel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Peppery
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7/13/2021 - Ted_P Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose: red and black fruits currant, plum, cranberries, menthol, anise, a floral component, vanilla perfume., hint of oak or coconut.
Taste: tight red berries, plum, anise, clove, tannic oak on finish.
Tightly wound, a bit astringent. I would have guessed a cooler vintage. More of an old school food wine - more Bordeaux like than Cali, should improve a bit with more cellar time.
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7/8/2021 - LuisMaimoni@Yahoo.com wrote:
Alexander Valley produces some serious high-end Cabernet Sauvignons. This is not one of them, but it has the significant benefit of being priced below $20. You could do worse, but it is not a particularly satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon.
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6/7/2021 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic Cab notes, black cherry, leather, cassis and mint.
A touch hot and ever so slightly thin, but otherwise a great QPR wine.
Needs 30-60 min decant. Drink.
Update. Forgot a partial bottle (a single glass) in the fridge for six days. Phenomenal.
Give this wine air and time.
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5/14/2021 - Matteo1 Likes this wine:
Less sweet and mint aromas than last vintage. Slightly heavy on the tartaric acid. Mouth filling red fruit without too much trickery. Maybe better that the 2017 vintage and still a great qpr
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4/18/2021 - Grand12 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nose is med to weak. Flavor is a bit tart, not the best body, would likely be better with some food. Fruit is not trimble forward
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4/15/2021 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well positioned for peak consumption. Expressive, medium-bodied with long finish. Amazing QPR.
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3/17/2021 - davidandrose wrote: 86 Points
Need a nightcap and this was the only red wine in the Marriotts refrigerator after the bar closed at 10.
Nose is rough in a way that I think bags of wood chips rather than wood barrels were used to impart the harsh nuances they’re trying to pull off. This isn’t a horrible or undrinkable wine, but if it’s memorable it’s not in a good way....
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2/24/2021 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid and consistent performer. Very similar to prior tasting notes.
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2/20/2021 - wayne47 wrote:
Ok with food. Not worth $.
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1/29/2021 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 87 Points
Deep and dark color, but just ok on the nose and palate.
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12/13/2020 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Nose: Deep dark fruits and an almost inky quality found in much pricier Cabs (almost perfumed). Traces of tree moss also present. Incredible nose for a wine at this price point. Palate: Really accessible in its youth this soft styled Cab rocks it with plum and spicy blackberry. Always liked AVV Cabs but this is one of the best vintages of this. SO glad I bought a case at only $16/bottle! Drinks like a $35 Cab.
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11/26/2020 - Tytianler Likes this wine:
Very nice. Fruity and medium body. Partner tastes cherry.
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11/19/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 91 Points
House mid-week favorite. Amazing QPR, medium+ body with long lush finish. Admirably pairable with most dinner selections or by it self without culinary selections.
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11/11/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistently strong and amazing QPR. Medium plus bodies, structured and tasty tannins with a long subtle and desirable finish. Highly recommended and house favorite.
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11/7/2020 - jjhsom Likes this wine: 92 Points
Generally agree w/other reviews. Good value. Tannic and needs 1-2 more years of bottle age.
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10/6/2020 - peeno wrote: 89 Points
Spicy dark berries, some licorice, dark ruby but light on palate. Decent wine for the price.
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9/30/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 91 Points
House favorite for mid-week as QPR along and compatibility with various food selections or simply sipping for the evening. Read prior reviews.
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9/24/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
P&P'd. Best without any prep or time. Amazing QPR ~$13 at Total Wine with case discount. Great legs, nose and finish. Enjoyable with or without food and drinks well above price point. Highly recommended.
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9/19/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Same as previous notes. Great QPR and a wonderful midweek selection.
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9/12/2020 - ddgd Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great QPR, medium plus body and finish. Deep garnet coloring and desirable presence of oak and tannins. Preferred it unaerated, straight up without any time or decanting. Lost a little legs after day one. A solid choice regardless of dining selection or day. Will impressive your crowd, even before announcing the price point.
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8/9/2020 - CMARSHALL Does not like this wine: 100 Points
Dark ruby color. Jam nose, prune and tabacco mid palate. Tannins are a little sharp for my taste.
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7/8/2020 - Baron Slick wrote: 90 Points
Lots of fruit purity and textural charm. Combines black raspberries, red fruit, and spicy oak with a nice backbone and serious complexity. It's youthful, tightly-wound, full-bodied, and punches way above its weight. I could drink this every day.
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7/7/2020 - chablis28 wrote: 89 Points
Said to be a cab dominated blend of 87% Cabernet, 6% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 4% Cab Franc & 1% Petit Verdot. PnP & slow ox in glass 2-1/2 hours prior to dinner. Semi opaque ruby red with magenta rim. Exceedingly well balanced, tasty and inviting. Slight fruit jam but the tannins keep this energetic, fresh and relatively weightless for CA Cab blends. The mix of fruit and spices offers very good depth for just $17. alc 14% I'll likely grab one more for future week night drinking variety. Toasty 90 degree day lead me to use my ice bucket quite a bit to keep this in low low 60s where it drinks best.
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7/6/2020 - Vstem Likes this wine:
Try with some peanut m&ms..
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7/5/2020 - cphd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Young
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