Reviews & Ratings

2005 Swanson Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon "Alexis"

Winery: Swanson Vineyards

Vintage: 2005

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Alexis"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Merlot

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $75

Cases produced: 1,187

KWG Score: 90.8 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: December 8, 2008

Wine Review: This bright ruby wine from Swanson opens with a mild cherry like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied wine is soft and balanced. One panelist described it as Merlot like. The flavor profile is black raspberry with hints of crème de cassis and dark chocolate. The finish is dry and its tannins are extended. The panel felt that this wine could benefit and will develop quite nicely with a little more time in the cellar. However if you can’t resist, decant the wine for at least an hour. Then serve it with prime rib or beef stroganoff. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: 2005 is a classic Oakville Cabernet vintage, so it is no surprise that this wine exhibits such heady aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, black licorice and mocha. The mouth has superb structure, with plenty of the fine-grained, round, ripe tannins we have come to expect from the Schmidt Ranch vineyard. Lingering notes of black cherry and cassis on the palate. The 2005 Alexis Cabernet promises to be enjoyable for at least 20 years following release.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Swanson 2005 Alexis.