Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

My previous notes are listed with a click on the photo & a short scroll. I opened this bottle four hours ago. It tasted past it’s prime from the bottle we had several weeks ago. This bottle showed lots of figs, dates, prunes & Eau de Vie Brandy/Cognac. It took four hours open in bottle to get back to my previous notes that I made nearly two months ago. Now, it’s beautiful dark, rich, beautiful Cabernet. If your well stored 87 BV Rutherford tastes over the hill upon opening, I wouldn’t decant it...that would be too much air for this bottling. I would open the bottle for an hour and let it stand. Then, pour into a glass for fifteen to twenty minutes and serve. It recovers magnificently. Deliciously perfect after nearly 30 years in the bottle. For the two of us, our last pour tastes like our previous bottle did after four hours being open in bottle. A splendid recent purchase for less than $50.

Every once in awhile you take a chance on a bottle that is a piece of history. In this case, Napa history. This 87 cost less than $50 and it is in amazing shape. The cork is playable and very little wine moved down the cork. Great seal! By the cork, you wouldn’t know it was 28-30 years old. The original owner of this bottle had a fantastic cellar. The nose is so subtle but full of nuisance and complexity. The fruits are still bright and fresh. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, touch of plum, poached strawberries, whiff of eau de vie and pomegranate. Loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, used leather, touch of dry herbs, soft volcanic minerals, anise, cola and very bright, beautiful, amazing red florals. The body is medium and dances and glides over the palate. The tannins are 85-90% resolved but still show some Rutherford dust. The palate fruits are still bright and fresh. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, touch of plum, candied cherries for days, poached strawberries, touch of eau de vie brandy, hint of baked rhubarb and pomegranate. Simply sugar molasses, loamy dry top soil, dry crushed rock powder, rich dark turned earth, used leather, touch of dry herbs/bay leaf, soft volcanic minerals, anise, bright cola/licorice and very bright, beautiful, amazing red florals w/ violets. The acidity is a rainfall. The texture, length, tension & balance couldn’t be better. The rich, polished, elegant, fruit and balanced earth finish lasts minutes. Such a steal and always a treat to drink 30 year old wines that hold up this beautifully. I’d love to put this wine in with some of the most revered producers in the world and watch it shine amongst the best of the best. Wine was not decanted. Such a beautiful wine! Photos of, outside their tasting room, long vineyard shot across Hwy 29 and one of their tasting areas.

Raining Night Wine