The fruit for the Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is grown at high elevations on sloped hillsides with good drainage. At 1400 feet high, along the sun-drenched western facing slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, the fruit sits well above the fog line. Naturally protected from the wind, dry hot days combine with bracingly cold nights which puts an element of stress on the vines resulting in small clusters, small berries and intensified flavors. The grapes were hand-sorted and underwent a two-day cold soak prior to fermentation to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine was then aged in French oak barrels, 80% new, where it underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by 20 months of aging.HARVEST NOTEWarm sunny days throughout the spring and summer months set the stage for a spectacular harvest in September 2014.The lack of rain meant that harvest began a little earlier than normal and was short in length, finishing up by the end of October. The temperate days leading up to harvest produced good yields of high quality fruit with concentrated flavors, complex aromatics and excellent structure.TASTING NOTEThis is a rich and full-bodied Cabernet with deep, layered aromas and concentrated flavors of dark cherry, blueberry, vanilla bean and tobacco. The wine shows off firm, structured tannins and a luxurious, lingering finish.FOOD PAIRINGExcellent with Blue Cheese, Wild Mushrooms and Ribeye SteakTECHNICAL DATAAPPELLATION: Alexander ValleyABV: 14.8%AGING: 20 Months, 100% French Oak
POINTS OF DISTINCTIONSt. Francis Winery has created hand-crafted wines from Sonoma County's best appellations for more than 30 years.A pioneer in helping to define the vineyards and grape varieties Sonoma is known for today; first to plant Merlot in Sonoma ValleyA regional leader in green practices, including initiatives in recycled packaging and water and energy conservationOwners of over 415 acres of vineyard land in prime AVAs including Sonoma and Russian River ValleysFruit-forward, luscious and well-balanced wines made from 100% handpicked fruitSt. Francis wines are food-friendly and ready to drinkTHE FOUNDINGIn 1971, businessman Joe Martin and his wife, Emma, purchased a 100-acre vineyard known as Behler Ranch in the Sonoma Valley town of Kenwood. The fruit from this vineyard was sold to area wineries until 1979, when a winery was built to produce estate-bottled wine. St. Francis Winery was named after St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and protector of the natural world.DEFINING SONOMAAt the time when St. Francis Winery was beginning to bottle its own wine, there were only a handful of wineries in Sonoma and the region was searching for an identity. The arrival of winemaker Tom Mackey in 1983 was the beginning of important growth at St. Francis and in Sonoma, as he and St. Francis helped to pioneer a Sonoma Valley style and pinpoint the varieties that were ideally suited to Sonoma soils. St. Francis was the first in the region to plant and bottle Merlot, and soon introduced Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines to the portfolio. The winery's first "Old Vines" Zinfandel was released in 1989, establishing one of its star varietal offerings and contributing to Sonoma County's growing reputation for top-quality Zinfandel. Today, a team of winemakers, including Christopher Louton and Katie Madigan, play an integral role in continuing St. Francis' success.
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