Ferrari-Carano, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I keep looking for a misfire in this latest round of new releases from Ferrari-Carano, but I’m beginning to believe "misfire" is not a word in the winery’s vocabulary. Its new vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon is a case in point. The more expensive Cabernet and Cabernet blend from are very, very good. It would be understandable if the winemaker chose the best barrels of Cab for those wines and left the less expensive Alexander Valley Cab the dregs. Not on your life. This is a tremendous Cab, exquisitely balanced, showing black-fruited aromas of blackberry and cassis, hints of spice and fine, supple tannins. Now, $30 isn’t chump change, but I would put this vintage up against California Cabs at double the price and I’d bet it would hold its own.