Cline Rock Carved Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2023 750ml

Cline Rock Carved Cabernet Sauvignon — Alexander Valley 2023

In prehistoric times, a rampaging Russian River carved the Alexander Valley — leaving behind sedimentary rock that defines the vineyard soils to this day, while the towering surrounding hills trap summer heat like an oven. It is this dramatic geological history that gives Rock Carved its name and its character. The wine is sourced from the Rio Lago Vineyard, owned and managed by the Horowitz family since 1990 — a site at the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountain range that experiences one of the wettest microclimates within the Alexander Valley AVA. Planted in diverse clay-loam and silty-loam soils, the vineyard is cooled each evening by marine air moving in along the Russian River from the Pacific Ocean. The combination of daytime heat to ripen the grapes and cool evening air to preserve freshness and acidity is the key to producing ultra-premium quality Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Grapes are hand-harvested at night, sorted, and gently destemmed. Fermentation is carried out by native yeasts, warming to temperatures peaking at 100°F, with the wine left on skins for 24 days. After gentle pressing, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel and ages for 14 months in 50% new French oak. The result is full-bodied, multilayered, and genuinely complex: blackberry, black plum, and black currant, with cedar, leather, and mocha, balanced acidity, smooth rich tannins, and a long, powerful finish. James Suckling awarded it 91 points; Wine Enthusiast 90 points.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling — 91 Points
“A robust, muscular, full-flavored and full-bodied wine that loads a ton of blackberry, black-cherry and cocoa flavors onto a frame of sturdy tannins. Cloves, cedar and toast add complexity to the core of dark fruit.”

Wine Enthusiast — 90 Points
“This dark and intense Cabernet shows aromas of roasted plum compote, licorice, shattered granite, and cinnamon on the nose. The palate possesses a wealth of rich tannin, with flavors of blackberry pie, pithy orange, violets, and grilled bread along the finale.”

• Producer: Cline Cellars, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
• Vintage: 2023
• Appellation: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
• Vineyard: Rio Lago Vineyard (Horowitz Family)
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: 14 months in 50% new French oak
• Size: 750ml
• Style: Robust, muscular, full-bodied Alexander Valley Cabernet
• Tasting Notes: Blackberry, black plum, black currant, cedar, leather, mocha, cocoa, cloves, sturdy tannins
• Drink Window: Now–2032
• Best Paired With: Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb, BBQ brisket, aged hard cheeses

Carved by geology, defined by terroir — Cline Rock Carved 2023 is Alexander Valley Cabernet at its most powerful.