| Some wines inspire joy, not unlike music. The wines from
Sonoma's Alexander Valley perhaps inspire "ragtime".
These are rich and concentrated wines that are vibrant to drink
and fun to share. The heart of the music may originate from
Alexander Valley Vineyards.
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay "Wetzel Family Estate," Alexander
Valley 2000
Price $15
Rating 93
This chardonnay exhibits ripe melon, mineral/limestone and lime/citrus
in the nose. The sip presents a wine with restraint, though there
is citrus marmalade and toffee. The Alexander Valley Vineyards
chardonnay is bright, complex and beautifully balanced.
Says Harry (Hank) Wetzel, III managing partner in the winery, "The
chardonnay is produced in a lean Burgundy style, there's oak
but it is not too oaky." There is precise restraint by way
of some stainless steel mixed into the oak barrel equation. A
yeast complexity is apparent. In the past, some reviewed their
chardonnay as being fruity and less than complex. Things have
changed for the better.
Try this wine with sushi, or maybe salmon tartar. With no food
what so ever, this wine is magnificent.
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir "Wetzel Family Estate," Alexander
Valley 1999
Price $19
Rating 93
Visualize earthy black cherry, blackberry and serious complexity.
In the mouth, there is a gripping red fruit spectrum, black cherry
again, perhaps a Burgundy earthy/leather complexity.
This spectacular pinot noir may be one of the best bargains
from California. The Alexander Valley Vineyards pinot noir would
pair nicely with veal in a piquant sauce or with venison (or
other wild game).
This winery, constructed in 1975, has always had a reputation
for successful big reds. Their subtle reds, such as pinot noir,
are important as well.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot "Wetzel Family Estate," Alexander
Valley 1999
Price $18
Rating 90
Entering stage left is rich plum with a plume of fresh thyme
in the hat. Flavors of complexly ripe fruit with, again, nice
herbal nuance, then plum, blackberry, a hint of earthy dust,
along with delicate floral hint of violets. This soft but assertive
red will match a big steak, or any assertive red meat dish.
"We usually add 5-7% cabernet into the merlot blend," explains
Hank Wetzel.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah "Wetzel Family Estate," 1999
Price $18
Rating 92
Date Reviewed 2-20-02
A sniff offers dark red fruit, concentrated, with a lilt of
menthol. In the mouth. there is red currant, maybe cranberry,
then bright fruit anchored by a touch of earthiness, a drop of
lime, followed by long length. This powerful and earthy red has
a surprise ingredient. "We add maybe 2% of the white wine
viognier to the syrah," says Hank Wetzel. This is not an
unusual practice in the Rhone area of France, where syrah originates,
and such reds from Sonoma benefit from the like-minded, though
ironic, practice.
Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon "Wetzel Family
Estate," Alexander Valley 1999
Price $19
Rating 91
This is a winery that has earned fame for the production of
cabernet. Their nearby neighbor is Silver Oak, the impossible
to find and expensive cabernet sauvignon. The good news is that
due to increased production, the Alexander Valley Vineyards cabernet
sauvignon is very much an equal that is much easier to find.
The wine possesses aromas of intense black fruit. The mouth
explodes with red cherry, black cherry, though restrained and
elegant, there is bright fruit, raspberry and a dusting of cocoa.
Try this important red with seared, though rare, beef
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