Outstanding Alexander Valley Sangiovese

Sausal Sangiovese 2008. $20 at the winery in 2012. Bright color and aroma, just as Sangiovese should have, and nice sharp acidity. Right at its peak.
Sadly, Sausal is no more. The property was bought by Silver Oak a few years ago, and they tore out all the old-vine Zinfandel and Sangiovese and planted cab.

Because what the wine market needs right now is more over-priced, over-oaked mediocre cabernet.

Sourpuss!

Because what the wine market needs right now is more over-priced, over-oaked mediocre cabernet.

Well there is one improvement from the Silver Oak post. Silver Oak is not considered expensive for a Napa cab and I remember when it was. (With faint praise) How do I indicate sarcasm?

What's so funny is that Silver Oak is a Napa cab and the bulk of their vineyards are in Alexander Valley. Complete with signs along the road bragging.

To be fair, Silver Oak very clearly distinguishes in their marketing and labels between their Alexander Valley cabernets and their flagship Napa Valley bottlings. The Napa Valley is, if I recall, about twice as expensive.

Alexander Valley cab about $70.00 Napa cab about $110.00.
Times change, we used to keep the Silver Oak in the back room and ration it our to our customers but now it's too cheap to be one of the cult cabs. Sarcastic but it contains a great deal of truth.