Hawkes Winery - Alexander Valley

Hello Again,

It's the dead of winter here in the wine country which means the sun is shining and it's a balmy 65 degrees in the valleys, and The Lou is out doggedly doing research for your wine tour enjoyment!! Today I will be extolling the virtues of Hawkes Winery in Alexander Valley, right after this LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!

1) Congrats to winemaker/owner Don Payne of Cahill Winery. Now, you read in Lou's News months ago as I made a BOLD PREDICTION that Don would either win some MAJOR medals or someone way higher on the wine chain than humble me would write a glowing review or give his wine a high number. Well, Don entered 16 wines and won 14 MEDALS AT THE 2011 SF CHRONICLE COMPETITION, INCLUDING DOUBLE GOLD FOR THE 2008 CAHILL PETITE SIRAH!!!!!! You read it here first people!

2) Paradigm 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is to be released march 1st! Jennifer Harris turned Stacy and I on to a pre-release taste and it is PHENOMENAL!!! At Sixty something bucks a bottle, this Heidi Barrett made Oakville Cab is going to go fast!!

3) Steltzner Family Vineyards (Stags Leap Appellation) released their 2007 Estate Merlot, and after enjoying a bottle with friends I can firmly state that this may be winemaker Tim Dolven's best effort to date. This is a world class Merlot!

4) Mercury update - Brad released the 2007 THE FATHER Cab Franc blend and its a winner. They also released a late harvest Pinot Blanc that may be the most delightful dessert wine I've tasted yet. At $30 bucks per 375 mml bottle get some before its all gone.

HOORAY FOR HAWKES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stephen and Paula Hawkes bought their first of 3 Alexander valley vineyards in 1971 and sold all of their grapes until 2002, when they made their first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Their 3 vineyards are Stone (aka Home), Pyramid, and Red Winery Road. The original Hawkes tasting room in Alexander Valley is located right next to the Jim Town Store on HWY 128 and they have opened an additional tasting room right off Sonoma Square next to The Girl and the Fig Restaurant. Their son Jake mans is the next generation of wine making and general mans the day to day operations of the winery. Jake and his father Stephen pour pure love into the making of their wines. The Alexander Valley tasting room is generally manned by Alex and the tasting room in Sonoma Square is manned by Corrine, with Jake and a few family friends filling in at both locations. Both locations have a homey atmosphere to relax and enjoy some excellent Sonoma County Wines. Speaking of the wines, HERE WE GO!

2008 Home Vineyard Chardonnay - 380 cases/$20 btl - no malo or new oak, nice fruit nose of pears and apples, nicely balanced acids make this a great food wine.

2006 Red Winery Road Merlot - 450 cases/$30 btl - Aged in 40% new french oak this BIG Merlot will benefit from at least 1 more year of bottle age - then look out - it will be a monster Merlot!

2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 800 cases/$40 btl - This is a 100% cab with grapes from all 3 of the Hawkes Vineyards and....DING DING DING!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!! Great fruit and light oak on the nose, a luscious full mouth feel with a lingering finish, this is a great example of a beautiful Alexander Valley Cab! You gotta taste it!! A bargain at $40 bucks.

2006 Red Winery Road Cabernet Sauvignon - 150 cases/$60 btl - slight pepper and tobacco nose, smooth mouthful of leather and dark cherry with a little dust on the finish. A fine example of a 100% vineyard designate Cab.

The 2006 Stone and pyramid vineyard designates will not be available until March 1st. I did taste the Pyramid about 4 months ago with Jake Hawkes and have to say it will be a big bold Cab, right up my alley!! When in Sonoma downtown or up in Alexander Valley if you miss tasting at Hawkes, You are missing out!!

Lou