NDA Rutherford Gem Crafted by a LEGEND

Do you know how many family vineyards are on the south side of Zinfandel Lane?

It was a bright Napa Valley afternoon, we were standing in the vines with a Napa Valley legend, who was springing a Rutherford pop quiz on us. Before we could shake our heads no, he adjusted his hat, pointed to the southeast, and went on. Or heres an easy one: Can you name three vineyards in between Conn Creek and Silverado Trail

We started to reply, then he said, ... BESIDES Caymus, Georges III, and ZD? We clammed up.

Im not trying to put you on the spot here, he said. Im just taking the long road to your answer. See, I know because, well, you learn things in 40 years. And Rutherford still pretty much runs like a small town. That means, when someones even thinking about thinking about selling a chunk of land or a ton of grapes, I hear about it.

When we got the call from this living legend, we hopped in the car immediately to meet him. Hes one of the great self-taught, salt-of-the earth vintners in the region, a rarity in this day of PhD. winemakers and private equity ownership. Hes helped vintners build about a dozen brands over the last three decades, all while incrementally growing his own label into one of the most respected homegrown outfits in the Valley. Oh, and hes got Rutherford dust in his veins.

So when you ask me how I can do what I do for the priceI mean, people who read the headlines are shocked to hear this, but all Rutherford Cabernet does NOT cost $10K a ton. It can cost FAR lessand Im not talking about the bottom of the barrel. Rutherfords the greatest place on the planet to grow Cabernet. The barrel has no bottom half!

We retreated to his barrel room, where he plunged a huge glass thief into a barrel and poured us tastes, dripping crimson onto the dusty concrete floor. As he swirled his own glass, he said, You know what Andy Beckstoffer says when asked why he doesnt make wine?

This one we knew. Yeahbecause its easier to sell great grapes than great wine.

Thats right. Well, I know how to sell wine. But once I get my lineup right, get everything blended the way I want it, whats easier? Print up new labels, source more bottles, corks, and foil, file the paperwork, and market something new, bottle by bottle? Or call you up?

We knew the answer, which is why we were there, tasting a wine that would be right at home in a lineup of outstanding Rutherford Cabs. Aged 21 months in 30% new French oak, its ruby with lively hints of purple, plus bountiful aromas of fresh ripe blackberries, brown spices, thyme, rosemary, black plums, and Rutherfords signature cocoa-tinged dust. Bold and balanced on the palate, its got ripe, firm tannins paired with fresh acidity and plentiful flavors of fresh ripe raspberry, freshly-shaved mocha, wild strawberries, cocoa nib, blueberry, and allspice.

This is insider Rutherford at its affordable best. Dont miss out.

Deep ruby in appearance, with lively hints of purple near the rim. Bountiful aromas of fresh ripe blackberries, brown spices, thyme and rosemary, black plums, and that signature Rutherford cocoa-tinged dust, accented by fresh vanilla beans. Bold and balanced on the palate, with ripe, firm tannins paired with fresh acidity and plentiful flavors of fresh ripe raspberry, mocha, wild strawberries, cocoa nibs, blueberries, and allspice. The perfect pairing for an A5 Wagyu steak or aged Cheddar cheese. Drink now2033.

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