Deep, dark, and delicious, this Rutherford Red Blend (I would have called it a Meritage but it had 2% Petit Sirah) is ripe, chewy and muscular but also seamless and beautifully polished. Built for a $75/bottle program and to accompany an $85/bottle Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, it's a no-expense spared, flagship offering from a Napa Valley stalwart producer with significant $40-$50 Napa Cabernet program. This is their bottling blend as they simply sought to trim their case goods inventory. It's actually a reasonably good deal deal at $75/bottle and is, of course, an absolutely phenomenal deal at $20/bottle.
Deep ruby/opaque in the glass. The aromas are beautiful and vibrant in spite of the fact this wine has just one-month in the bottle. Deep, dusty plum and red cassis contrast nicely with tobacco leaf and a toasty, seasoned french oak halo with cedar notes and dark earth rounding out the bouquet. Supple and seamless on entry with finely textured tannins bringing out the leathery tones in the fleshy and rich mid-palate. Ripe black and red fruits drive the long finish. Super smooth, richly-fruited, and elegantly-structured with impeccable balance, this is a perfectly-assembled red blend.
45% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petite Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah
100% Rutherford, 100% single-vineyard
35% new French oak
14.9% alc.
Bottled February 19th, 2021
