Two years ago, I reviewed the 2011 version of the Kirkland Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I was mildly positive about the wine but since 2012 was a much better growing season for California red wine grapes, I wanted to give the current vintage a try.
Alexander Valley is in the northeast corner of Sonoma County. It is separated from Pacific Ocean breezes by a mountain range and it does not get the cool fog from the San Francisco Bay like the Sonoma Valley or the Napa Valley. It does experience great temperature differences from daytime to night time and this improves the quality of the grapes.
Alexander Valley is best known for good value Cabernet Sauvignon made in an elegant, fruit forward style and that is certainly the case with the Kirkland version. Although it was aged 22 months in oak barrels it is definitely a more fruity, lighter, and less earthy Cabernet than a typical Napa Cabernet. I enjoyed this wine and would rate it higher than the 2011 vintage. Costco sells this wine for $8.99 and you will not likely find a Cabernet Sauvignon as good as this for that price.
SC Wine Joe rating = 88 points
Alexander Valley is in the northeast corner of Sonoma County. It is separated from Pacific Ocean breezes by a mountain range and it does not get the cool fog from the San Francisco Bay like the Sonoma Valley or the Napa Valley. It does experience great temperature differences from daytime to night time and this improves the quality of the grapes.
Alexander Valley is best known for good value Cabernet Sauvignon made in an elegant, fruit forward style and that is certainly the case with the Kirkland version. Although it was aged 22 months in oak barrels it is definitely a more fruity, lighter, and less earthy Cabernet than a typical Napa Cabernet. I enjoyed this wine and would rate it higher than the 2011 vintage. Costco sells this wine for $8.99 and you will not likely find a Cabernet Sauvignon as good as this for that price.
SC Wine Joe rating = 88 points
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