A similar situation exists with the Cabernet Sauvignons. They are all 100% Cabernet Sauvignons made in 200-case lots, with the exception of the Monument Ridge, and all are aged 18 months in French oak of which 70% is new. There are just too many similarities between them even though they come from various elevations (ranging from 500 feet to as high as 2,400 feet). All the Cabernets are dense, tannic and full-bodied with impressive levels of richness, minerality and blue and black fruits. My favorites include the Christopher’s, Bear Point, Rockfall, and Cougar Ridge. Interestingly, the Monument Ridge and Monolith tasted more tannic, closed and difficult to evaluate. These are big, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignons and even though some of the vineyards are separated by as much as five miles, there is an overall similarity that comes from this Alexander Mountain Estate despite the various elevations and expositions. Perhaps 15-25 years of aging will confirm Jess Jackson’s belief that they are different. That being said, they are all high quality, promising Cabernets that should still be drinking well in 25-30 years. I must say that I disagree completely with Stonestreet’s decision to make so many single vineyard Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons, even though I understand Jess Jackson’s logic that they are all different vineyards, different expositions, etc., etc. Moreover, they all emerge from his Alexander Mountain Estate, but it seems to me the similarities between them are so strong that a convincing argument could be made for producing two or perhaps three cuvees of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon as they could easily be blended together. The other difficult thing from a critic’s standpoint is that fewer than 200 cases of each Chardonnay are produced, making them nearly impossible to find. The same thing exists for all the Cabernets except for the 2008 Monument Ridge, of which there are only 800 cases.Tel. (800) 355-8008; Fax (707) 433-9469

The same can be said for the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Monolith. Slightly more opulent with a sumptuous perfume of espresso roast, chocolate, and creme de cassis as well as superb fruit density, richness, and length, this killer Cabernet can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years. These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted. Kudos to proprietor Jess Jackson and winemakers Graham Weerts and Marcia Monahan for exploiting this high elevation terroir. This has been a work-in-progress for Jackson, and he has finally hit paydirt with the following wines. Readers need to pay close attention as there are some amazing Chardonnays as well as red wines emerging from Stonestreet. There are seven distinctive cuvees of Chardonnay, ranging in production from 185 cases of Red Point, to 660 cases of Lower Rim. All of these super-impressive efforts come from elevations of 900 to 1,800 feet. I tasted one Merlot and seven Cabernet Sauvignons, and as readers can tell, these are also impressive wines. Production ranges from approximately 250 cases of the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons (the only exception being the 5,000-case cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon Monument Ridge).Tel. (800) 355-8008; Fax (707) 433-9469