Frei Brothers : Reviews

Wine to Buy Food & Wine , August 1, 2008 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon LAND PRESERVATION Frei Brothers Green Initiative: People may not associate Gallo (which owns Frei Brothers) with eco-awareness, but since the late 1970s, the company has set aside an acre of untouched land for every acre of coastal California vineyard it has developed - making for an impressive total of more than 6,000 acres so far. Mostly sourced from Gallo's Barrelli Creek Vineyard, this juicy Cabernet shows cassis and peppercorn notes."

RECOMMENDED Miami Herald, February 18, 2010 2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of black cherries, licorice and mint."

B- 1WineDude.com, April 3, 2010 2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "As Californian as they come but the finish has too much sizzle for under 14%"

Global Vintage Quarterly, April 1, 2003 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Enthusiast, February 1, 2007 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Shows the delicate softness of Alexander Valley Cabernet, with the elegance that good viticulture and winemaking can bring to wine. This is a really drinkable Cabernet, but it's not a simple one. Shows layers of complexity in the way the ripe fruit, oak, tannins and acids all play off each other."

Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2008 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon “A lovely Cab made in a drink-me-now style, this polished Alexander Valley beauty is soft and elegant. It has impressively rich blackberry, currant, mocha, anise and tobacco flavors, with an earthy edge of olive tapenade and cola.”

89+ The Wine Advocate, December 31, 2008 2006 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "More backward, but still impressive is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Its deep, dark ruby color is followed by notes of creosote, roasted herbs, tobacco leaf, black currants, and cherries. This smoky, medium to full-bodied, impressively endowed Cabernet should drink well for a decade."

Independent Weekly, December 14, 2005 2002 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Napa gets all the hype, but Sonoma oftens delivers just as many intricate and fascinating wines. Frei Brothers, is one of the finest estates under Gallo family's protective wing. Frei makes round, luxurious cabs with silky textures, long legs and satisfying flavors. it's a storybook property overlooking the Dry Creek Valley and is one of the area's few estates to specialize in cabernet."

The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2010 2007 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "The dark ruby/purple-tinged, medium-bodied 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits classic aromas of spicy oak, black currants, tobacco leaf, and licorice. With light tannins as well as good flesh and richness, this well-priced wine is best consumed over the next 7-8 years."

88 Quality 88 Value Wine Lovers Page - Internet, November 1, 2006 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "The wine is deeply hued, radiating black fruit and American oak on the nose, whereas the palate is dominated by lush berry fruit and violets. The tannins are firm but rounded."

Wine Review Online.com, December 12, 2005 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "You'll find deep, concentrated aromas of dark, berry fruit and herbal notes, especially eucalyptus. In the mouth, it's dry and full-bodied with very good concentration of dark berry fruit, within a firm frame of clean new oak. Powerful but lean wine, very solid and well-knit. Enjoyable now but will age well."

Wine News, March 1, 2008 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Mixed aromas of blueberry, plum, mocha, and clove. Sweet and creamy with soft cherry fruit and fine-grain tannins. Exceedingly ripe, ready-to-drink finish."

Wine Spectator, December 31, 2001 1998 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "A pleasing, well-executed mix of ripe, complex blackberry, plum and currant-scented fruit, with spicy oak. Well-structured, it finishes with firm tannins that are ripe and well-balanced."

86/86 Wine Lovers Page - Internet, November 1, 2005 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "A pleasant mix of berries, cassis, eucalyptus and tobacco leaf delight the senses. Full, crisp, and packing moderate tannins, this is made for grilled beef."

Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2002 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "This wine pours as black as a young Port, and has a rich, thick texture. Aromas include raisins, chocolate and wood, and it feels dense. Not delicate or for the faint-hearted."

Wine News, February 1, 2006 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Shy scents of plum, dust and chocolate. Black fruit and earth flavors are a bit thin. Tart finish."

Wine & Spirits, February 1, 2006 2002 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "This herbal character of Alexander Valley cabernet comes through in this peppery red. It's soft and plump, ready for lamb sausages."

Wine Spectator, October 15, 2002 1999 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Concentrated and brawny,w ith chalky, gripping tannins wrapped around blueberry, black currant, earth, herb and plenty of toasty oak flavors. Lingering tannins would benefit from food."

Restaurant Wine, December 1, 2006 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "An excellent value: softly textured, full bodied, and moderately intense in flavor (cherry, blackberry, cocoa, spicy oak), with a lightly tannic, long finish."

Restaurant Wine, May 1, 2003 2000 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Round and full-bodied, this Cabernet has good flavor and balance and a medium long finish. Has light oakiness, grapey, berry-like flavors and light tannins."

Quarterly Review of Wines, June 1, 2004 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Deep, purply color; ripe, minerally, black fruit and mocha nose; big, ripe, fat, high-throttle, cassis, spice and mocha flavors; soft juicy finish."

Restaurant Wine, January 1, 2008 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Supple, ripe, and appealing; a Cabernet with full body, evident oakiness, and black cherry, plum, and spicy oak aromas/flavors; long, mildly tannic finish."

Restaurant Wine, October 1, 2002 1999 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Full bodied, round, moderately rich in flavor, and smooth on the finish, tasting of black cherry, blackberry, walnut and mint."

Restaurant Wine, November 1, 2002 1999 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon EXCELLENT "Full bodied, round, moderately rich in flavor, and smooth on the finish, tasting of black cherry, blackberry, walnut and mint.