September 18, 2023 - This wine felt like I was smelling a South American wine at some point and southern Rhone the next but never Napa. Aromas of game, bell pepper, red plum, Indian spice (turmeric), cherry, and perfume. Flavors of vanilla, black cherry, bell pepper, cherry Cola, pepper, mint, and tree bark after some time. Fine soft grain tannins with medium acidity. Fantastic with BBQ ribs.
January 21, 2023 - Ruby color with slow legs. Cedar, spice and berry on the nose. Cherry, red plum and bell pepper on the palate. Medium leathery finish.
June 29, 2022 - One taster notes "flat" and I'll add "sterile" as in sweetish artificial tasting fruit with wood chips adding their artificial vanilla sterile component. It's supposed to be grape juice elevated by the art of winemaking not a high school science experiment. I do understand why such faux wine is appealing; avoid the obvious flaws inherent in winemaking, add enough sweet and vanilla flavor, as easy as making kid's breakfast cereal and much more profitable.
May 21, 2022 - Decanted for 4 hours and it needed it because this medium body wine was still a little tight when first poured. It opened fairly quickly in the glass, though, and then I got a lot of red fruit on the palate--tart cherry, raspberry. Not much depth, nuance, or finish so I'd call it maybe Hall Napa Valley cab lite. I have to say I like it because I drank it all, but it's at best a $25 experience. Not sure I'd buy it again.
February 11, 2022 - Not bad, but I was expecting better. Medium body for cab, good initial flavors but a bit of a chemical-like after taste
January 31, 2022 - Similar to previous note. Definitely not the biggest Napa Cab out there, but a solid QPR.
October 13, 2021 - Not bad not good. Quite flat and no real distinguishable fruit flavors. Not worth the price
September 23, 2021 - Muted, smoke-tinged, red and dark fruit, wild herbs, and walnut shell. Good weight and density, very approachable now, the flavors are more dark fruited than the nose, and it develops brightness and succulence with air. Very good.
August 14, 2021 - From Rutherford Ranch website:
VINEYARD NOTES
A portion of our 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from our Heide Ranch vineyard, one of the latest additions to our impressive vineyard portfolio. Located in the eastern part of the Napa Valley Appellation, this region produces exceptional ripe fruit, giving our Cabernet Sauvignon the bold and rich flavors that aficionados everywhere have grown to love.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Merlot
2% Petite Sirah
1% Malbec
1% Petit Verdot
FOOD PAIRING NOTES
This rich and opulent Cabernet Sauvignon compliments a variety of dishes including portabello and goat cheese tartlets, braised short ribs, or a herb crusted lamb shank.
PRODUCTION NOTES
The 2018 growing season, was truly an exceptional year for ripening grapes. Winter started out with very little rainfall, which made growers worry that it may be another year of drought. When March arrived, however, it brought along the much-needed rainfall that helped fill the root zone, water table and some reservoirs. The vines came out of winter dormancy and began the season with ample water and abundant sunshine.
July 18, 2021 - Red cherry & plum. Medium to full bodied. A little spice framed by a little oak. Really good QPR if you can find it under $25.