Stonestreet 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyards, Alexander Valley

The Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate created by Jess Jackson is an extraordinary winegrowing environment. The Estate stands on the western ridge of the Mayacamas Mountains towering over the Alexander Valley below. High elevations, volcanically derived soils and cooling maritime breezes make it a very unique place. 900 acres are planted to grapes (235 individual vineyard blocks) and grapes for this Cab are a meticulous selection sourced from vineyards all up and down the estate.

As a blend of the best Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sites, the Estate bottling is one of the most compelling illustrations of the Stonestreet Mountain. Fermented in stainless steel the wine aged 18 months in 37% new French Oak.

Wine & Spirits Magazine scored this 92 points saying "Jess Stonestreet Jackson purchased the Gauer Ranch in the 1990s, renaming it the Alexander Mountain Estate. It’s 5,100 acres on the western flank of Mayacamas with 900 planted to vines, the parcels ranging in altitude from 400 up to 2,400 feet. Lisa Valtenbergs made this 2016 cabernet from a range of parcels and elevations. It’s fragrant with delicate scents of red cherries, floral notes of strawberries and a dark core of pure cabernet sauvignon flavor: That black-currant fruit saturates a relatively light-bodied red (at least relative to some of the bigger styles of Stonestreet cabernets in the past); its gentle woodland freshness brings an impression of redwood fronds and ferns."

Wine Advocate scored this 92 points saying "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate bursts from the glass with vivacious cassis, black cherry preserves and wild blueberries with hints of chocolate box, dried mint and black loam plus a waft of tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives a firm frame of lively freshness and grainy tannins supporting the bright, juicy fruit, finishing long with a minty lift. Elegantly played at just 14.1% alcohol."

Vinous scored this 93 points saying "The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a gorgeous entry-level wine in this range from Stonestreet. A whole range of floral and savory notes give the Estate aromatic nuance to play off a core of vibrant red fruit. Medium in body and impeccably polished, the 2016 is flat-out delicious, even in the early going."

Jeb Dunnuck scored this 93 points saying "Moving to the reds, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in 37% new French oak) offers impressive notes of tobacco leaf, damp earth, cedar, and blackcurrants. It’s look-alike for a top Bordeaux, has nicely integrated acidity, plenty of tannin, and is going to keep for over a decade."