Hanna Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2001

Hanna Winery is located on a hilltop overlooking estate vineyards in the Alexander Valley near Healdsburg. Years ago, while traveling throughout the Sonoma and Napa wine districts, we stumbled across this winery for an early morning tasting spree. It was barely 11:00 am as we droving toward Calistoga. Their pretty Mediterranean styled building caught our eye and we decided we would take a look around and maybe taste one or two wines. Back in the car, an hour later and six tastes happier, we continued on our journey having discovered one of our favorite wineries in the Alexander Valley. Hanna makes a variety of wines both from the Alexander Valley and form the neighboring Russian River Valley. We are particular fans of their Cabernet Sauvignon and have purchased a few vintages to cellar and enjoy throughout the years. Last night we pulled this 2001 Cabernet from our cellar and brought it to the Purple Wine Bar and Café in Bellevue. It was a special night out as both my mother and brother are here for a visit. In the glass, this wine shows a deep, dark ruby/purple color and is nearly opaque. A heady bouquet evokes ripe red berries, plums and mocha. This is a full bodied wine with a mouth-feel that is smooth, seductive and almost viscous. On the palate, ripe black fruit, espresso, licorice, spice and mocha commingle to create a luscious and balanced wine. There are abundant smooth and well integrated tannins and the acidity level is relatively low. The finish is fat and creamy with a touch of spicy oak. This is a mature wine, but no way is it beyond it’s peek; cellar-aging has shown to be a beautiful thing. These Hanna wines are our “special occasion” wines that never fail to deliver.