2013 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley Vineyard

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley Vineyard is a big boy (14.7% natural alcohol). It has the classic Oakville fruitcake, cedarwood, spice box, and loads of crème de cassis fruit, some background oak, moderate tannin, but beautiful structure, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and again, impressive purity and length. This wine begs for 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well for 20-25 years.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley Vineyard is one of the more immediate wines in this range. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, licorice, menthol, lavender and blueberry jam meld together in a juicy, up-front Cabernet that will drink well with minimal cellaring.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley Vineyard, from the Oak Knoll District, is one of the more powerful, focused wines in this range. Firm tannins support an expressive core of blue/black fruit, smoke, licorice, menthol and dark spices. I imagine the tannins will need at least a few years to soften, but there is plenty to look forward to.