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The Aluve 2014 Cabernet is a blend of 92% Cabernet, 6% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. On the nose, blackberries, milk chocolate, plum, black plum, blueberries, mocha powder, cinnamon, vanilla, loamy soils and violets dominate in a fresh floral bouquet. The mouthfeel is M+ body with M tannins that are nice and soft in a young Cabernet. There's lots of chocolate and mocha. Fruits are; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries with strawberries coming on late. Leather, warm spices, underbrush, crushed dry rocks, Rutherford dust, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, dry, dark florals, lighter round acidity and a fresh, even finish of; fruit, spice & earth with dark florals and red roses. Photos of the Aluve vineyard, JJ & Kelly and one of the planes they flew in the Air Force. Producer history & notes...JJ and Kelly Menozzi recently established Aluve Winery. They met in the Airforce. Both hold the rank of Colonel after serving 23 years in the Airforce. They were stationed in Idaho and shared the love of wine after traveling and seeing the world's wine regions. With Walla Walla only a couple hours drive, they traveled there often. Knowing they were going to term out in the Air Force, they set their eyes on starting a winery in the area they loved. In 2010, several years before they retired from the Air Force, they bought 10 acres of land above Mill Creek and planted 6,000 vines on 5 of those acres. JJ started attending the viticulture college in Walla Walla. Kelly gained experience working the crush at Walla Walla Vintners for the 2014 harvest & JJ worked the 2015 harvest at Dunham Cellars. The Dunhams were the first people they met when we came to Walla Walla back in 2000 and they’ve been very supportive of JJ & Kelly's winery dream. All of the Walla Walla producers share knowledge freely. There is no competition. I can't say I've witnessed anything like it in any other region. The Menozzis are down to earth and they’re off to a flying start. Pun intended. I always see one new producer beginning to make a name for themselves in every region that I visit and JJ and Kelly did not disappoint. Certainly, a winery to watch going forward. I think we can thank them both for their service in the Air Force & in the vineyard. — 7 years ago
@Bob McDonald They're smart people...combine that will the work ethic & discipline they teach in the armed services, I can't imagine them not succeeding. I really enjoyed their story to winemaking.
On the nose, warm fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, black plum, black raspberries and hues of blue fruits. Warm subtle spices, loamy soils and dark fresh floral bouquet. On the palate, there is M+ body and tannins. There's a warm entry of spices. The fruits are; blackberries, black cherries, black plum and black raspberries. Mocha powder, chocolate, loamy soils, dry herbs and good acidity. The finish is solid throughout and has an even balance of; fruit, earth and spice. Photos of; JJ and Kelly checking the harvested fruit, Kelly checking the vines and a shot of their estate vines. — 7 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The Aluve 2014 Cabernet is a blend of 92% Cabernet, 6% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. On the nose, blackberries, milk chocolate, plum, black plum, blueberries, mocha powder, cinnamon, vanilla, loamy soils and violets dominate in a fresh floral bouquet. The mouthfeel is M+ body with M tannins that are nice and soft in a young Cabernet. There's lots of chocolate and mocha. Fruits are; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries with strawberries coming on late. Leather, warm spices, underbrush, crushed dry rocks, Rutherford dust, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, dry, dark florals, lighter round acidity and a fresh, even finish of; fruit, spice & earth with dark florals and red roses. Photos of the Aluve vineyard, JJ & Kelly and one of the planes they flew in the Air Force. Producer history & notes...JJ and Kelly Menozzi recently established Aluve Winery. They met in the Airforce. Both hold the rank of Colonel after serving 23 years in the Airforce. They were stationed in Idaho and shared the love of wine after traveling and seeing the world's wine regions. With Walla Walla only a couple hours drive, they traveled there often. Knowing they were going to term out in the Air Force, they set their eyes on starting a winery in the area they loved. In 2010, several years before they retired from the Air Force, they bought 10 acres of land above Mill Creek and planted 6,000 vines on 5 of those acres. JJ started attending the viticulture college in Walla Walla. Kelly gained experience working the crush at Walla Walla Vintners for the 2014 harvest & JJ worked the 2015 harvest at Dunham Cellars. The Dunhams were the first people they met when we came to Walla Walla back in 2000 and they’ve been very supportive of JJ & Kelly's winery dream. All of the Walla Walla producers share knowledge freely. There is no competition. I can't say I've witnessed anything like it in any other region. The Menozzis are down to earth and they’re off to a flying start. Pun intended. I always see one new producer beginning to make a name for themselves in every region that I visit and JJ and Kelly did not disappoint. Certainly, a winery to watch going forward. I think we can thank them both for their service in the Air Force & in the vineyard. — 7 years ago