Aluvé Winery

Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.17 ratings
9.12 pro ratings
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

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.

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.

Aug 25th, 2017
Michael Seely

This is the Chardonnay, 2017. Approachable with a bit more sharp edges than I like in a chard.

This is the Chardonnay, 2017. Approachable with a bit more sharp edges than I like in a chard.

Nov 23rd, 2018
Matt Moye

6 barrels produced, their first vintage. Next door to Walla Walla Vintners and aMaurice. East side of WW which gets enough precipitation to forego irrigation.

6 barrels produced, their first vintage. Next door to Walla Walla Vintners and aMaurice. East side of WW which gets enough precipitation to forego irrigation.

Aug 15th, 2017
Nick Davis

Nick had this 7 years ago

Nick had this 7 years ago

Apr 10th, 2017
Adrienne Leistner

Adrienne had this 5 years ago

Adrienne had this 5 years ago

Nov 26th, 2019
Jason Kreizenbeck

Jason had this 5 years ago

Jason had this 5 years ago

Apr 9th, 2019
Sarah Mahoney

Sarah had this 6 years ago

Sarah had this 6 years ago

Nov 15th, 2018