2013 Chateau St. Jean Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley is bursting with flavor and the intense, floral/savory profile that is so typical of Alexander Valley Cabernets. Sweet pomegranate, kirsch, wild flowers, white pepper and chalk give the 2013 much of its personality. Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren has done a terrific job softening some of the typically gritty Alexander Valley tannins... Chateau St. Jean and winemaker Margo Van Staaveren excel with a range of wines that deliver an appealing combination of quality and availability, with many wines that are also budget friendly. As always, there is a real stylistic difference between the whites and reds here, that suggests the wines are made for two totally different audiences. The whites are crisp and vibrant, often with partially blocked malos, while the reds are much more opulent and flamboyant. (AG)