Winemaker Chad Alexander’s name is probably not terribly familiar to most readers… However, for the past ten years, the customers at Princeton’s Corkscrew wine shop have come to recognize anything from Chad Alexander as an amazing deal. “Whether it is his Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays or Cabernets, anytime you see the Chad label you know that you are getting a wine that punches above its weight. The cuvées and sources change almost every year, but that’s what makes Chad special: He has a nose for the deals, no matter if the fruit is from Sonoma, Napa, Santa Barbara or the Willamette.”
Chad’s negociant label was launched during the economic crisis in 2009 to take advantage of inventory that had backed up at prestigious wineries and to protect the brand of the maker. According to Nicholas Harary of Nicholas Wines, Chad’s plan calls for wineries to bottle their new wines in ‘shiners,’ that is, wine bottles without label or branded cork. For many wineries with bloated inventories, this gives them an out when current markets aren’t providing one. Chad offers a price on the entire lot that is substantially higher than the depressed bulk market but still dramatically less the intended retail. These ‘shiners’ are then bottled under Chad’s own label. He talks up the vineyard sources, and how the wine is made, but doesn’t mentioned the winery’s name.
Nicholas concludes: “The Chad label is all about opportunity; the opportunity for wineries to get out of stuck products without cheapening their brand and the opportunity of a lifetime for consumers to buy fantastic American wine at everyday prices…” Wines of this quality are generally found in bottles that are twice the price… That’s because what’s in the bottles IS twice the price! And the fact that these wines have shown up in upscale restaurants like The Odeon and Bar Boulud in New York City is a testimony to their superior quality.
During the past month or so, I’ve had opportunity to sample three of Chad’s red wines – and each one was absolutely superb and a steal pricewise… The first wine tasted was the 2019 Chad Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, which proved to be the very essence of Oregon Pinot. Aromatically, black cherry predominates, along with a beguiling touch of spice. The palate is pure Pinot, vibrant & complex, with an abundance of berry fruit flavors and soft, silky tannins. The finish is smooth, long, and elegant. An outstanding wine… at an equally outstanding price point. The lowest listing I’ve seen online is $19.99 per bottle (plus shipping) at Central Wine Merchants of Flemington, New Jersey.
The 2019 Chad Sonoma Mountain Reserve is a Bordeaux blend that comes from what is widely considered to be the best old-patch, old-vine vineyard for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in California’s Mayacamas Mountains. The range acts as a divider between the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. According to Mr. Alexander, this is a truly special wine from the most rarefied of air; and I’m afraid that’s all he is allowed to divulge – but that’s really all we need to know.
This is a beautiful wine… Vibrant purple in color, offering up fabulous aromas of blueberry, sage, and mint. On the palate, it is full-bodied with hints of ripe plum and a touch of dark chocolate. No question, this is a classy wine with fine tannins and a long, lush finish.
The price is pretty lush as well. Normally retailing around the $45.00 mark, Nicholas Wines in Red Bank, New Jersey, is letting it go for $21.00 per bottle (plus shipping).
The 2018 growing season in Washington State saw hot temperatures and practically no rain for the most of summer. This was followed by a quick rainstorm and cooler temperatures for the remainder of the season… Winemakers described it as a “particularly good year for Cabernet Sauvignon.” But if there was one problem for Washington winemakers, it was that the harvest was so even and so perfect that yields were huge.
An overabundance of super high-quality Cabernet? Yes, and Chad Alexander was right there to snatch up the surplus. How did he know to be in Walla Walla in 2018? As Nicholas Harary put it: “Most winemakers are constantly chasing trends. Chad is always ahead of them.”
The 2018 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley is something of an anomaly. For his latest enological coup, Chad goes back to his Cabernet Sauvignon roots; however, this time, instead of his usual connections in Napa, he has reaped the benefits of the basalt-cobblestone gravel soils of eastern Washington State. In a vintage that winemakers up and down the valley are applauding for both quality and quantity, Chad’s 2018 Cabernet is an incredible wine at an unbelievable value.
A stunning purple with ruby highlights in the glass, the emanating aromas have been described as a lovely mix of “kirsch, blackberry liqueur, vanilla, pepper and baked black cherries.” And all this carries over to a full-bodied palate that is rich with mouth-filling tannins and lush dark fruit flavors leading to a long and decadent finish. As one writer put it: “A beautiful example of Walla Walls Cabernet and a treat for all those who love ripe, expressive, full-bodied wines…” A great combo, he suggests, “with a burger smothered in blue cheese and caramelized onions with spiced tomato ketchup.” Yum.
Chad’s 2018 Cab is available from several sources online. The lowest price I’ve seen listed is $18.99 per bottle (plus shipping). Your best bet is to Google it and see what options come up. The difference in price between retailers will only be a dollar or two, although shipping prices may vary significantly. For example, many retailers will offer free shipping if you purchase X number of bottles… so it pays to shop around.
Cheers!
Be Safe & Stay Well
TAD
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