November 25, 2023 - Excellent wine and I have no recollection of buying any of the mixed case of Rudius I have. Definitely benefits from airtime, but his is in its wheelhouse. Come expecting a big Napa cab but circa 1980s style, and you will be rewarded.
April 3, 2023 - Crystals on the cork introduced a wonderfully concentrated, indigo cabernet with deep blueblack fruit on top of the smooth but evident tannins. I'll wait a few years for my other bottle, which I believe will merit a higher score by then. 93+
February 22, 2023 - No notes. Drank this along with a 2014 River-Marie Panek. Wineberserkers DiFara's pizza offline in NYC. Both wines were outstanding, with a nod to the RM. It was an Oh My wine. Wish I had another bottle. Drink or hold.
January 7, 2021 - This wine was singing tonight -- this reminded me of a better, more complex, denser version of a 2018 Ontogeny that I had the other night. It still has nice energy despite how big it is and wonderful dark fruit flavor. Has the whole chocolate and #2 pencil thing going on. Ripe tannins lengthen the finish. AMAZING QPR.
December 18, 2020 - I am really enjoying this tonight. It is complex with layers of graphite and fresh tobacco.
August 23, 2020 - Dark purple fruit - blackberry, currants, and a little blueberry. Smooth mid-palate with a nice purity and solid depth/concentration - medium plus body. Nice vibrant flavors of dark berries, some spice/licorice, and a mineral/graphite component. Fairly long finish. Decanted for one hour and drank over a couple more. Improved a little with time but drinking well after the decant. In my opinion, falls in between the 93+ rating from Dunnuck and the 96 rating from WA. I’ve always enjoyed what Jeff Ames has done with the cabs at Tor and I’m impressed with my first experience of his own label Rudius. WA anticipated maturity 2020 to 2038. 100% cab.
July 25, 2020 - Recommend a one hour decant through a screen/strainer. Lots of sediment in this bottle. Earthy nose with dark fruit and flowers. Mouthful of blackberry and cassis, w moderate tannins and acidity. Harsh oaky notes present in an earlier bottle have largely faded, and this is starting to come into its own. Still needs 2-3 years to fully integrate, and another decade+ easily of drinking window. A lovely, well-made wine.
November 11, 2019 - Delicious Napa Cab that is drinking really well right now. Not decanted, and the last glass on day two was even better. Dark berries, a little pepper, great aromatics as well. Very tasty.