2003 William Harrison Rutherford Red

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 93.5 points

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  1/11/2024 - mflesh wrote:

  Well, my last note 3 years ago said that I should probably leave my final one of these alone for a year or two.... Well, I left it alone probably three and a half years. And this one was superbly drinking. It was opened alongside a 1999 BV Georges Latour and let me tell you these two wines are more similar than they are dissimilar. First of all, both classic expressions of Rutherford. This Harrison was 80% Cabernet, 16% Franc with the remaining 4% Merlot. Upon court pop, it actually was a little weird. Lots of potash and Rosemary with a hint of mint. Seemed a little strange, and the finish was maybe a little grainy. Went back to the BV for the next 20 or so minutes as it had been open for about a half hour. When I came back to this, It had exploded! Compared to the BV, which was predominantly an aged red fruit wine, this one was more of an aged black fruit wine with a lot of saddle leather, tobacco, still getting mint and some herbal influence but way more in balance. I have noticed a slightly similar profile with aged Howell Mountain wines. Red fig, hint of black cherry but mostly perfectly aged blackberry with moderate body. The middle of the wine was perhaps a little more delicate, finishing with a hint of blackberry tart, black licorice, herbs, a little bit of pepper spice, integrated tannins. Beautiful wine! I think the tufa soil in a classic Rutherford climate still with those dusty tannins makes for a rather unique and delicious wine at 20 years and still going! We remarked that this would have gone impeccably well with chili,.... Opened up one day too early as there is a chili cook-off tomorrow!! Comparing the BV to this wine, as far as structure and complexity goes, this one edged it out by two or three points! Drink now.

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  7/27/2020 - mflesh wrote: 95 Points

  Took one bottle home just to see how urgent it was to bring the other one home. Well, I think I'm going to leave the other one there for a year or two. Surprisingly young for an 18-year-old wine. Youthful black cherry, blackberry, yet has a little bit more noticeable tobacco note. The interesting thing is that this cuvee in 2003 was made from 80% Cabernet, with the balance mostly Cabernet Franc with only a little bit of Merlot. No PV and no Malbec. The end gains a nice amount of minerality, black pepper is a little bit muted, sediment is there, but not as much as expected. Rutherford dust is 100% here on this wine. This is an iconic example of where Rutherford Cabernet should be nearing the 20-year mark. Outstanding.

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  4/19/2020 - mflesh wrote: 92 Points

  This wine is not a good pop and pour. At 17 years, you would think it would be ready but it needs about 30 minutes to find itself. But it is undoubtedly ready to go. Some fig, ripe plum, black licorice on the front palate. Tar and tobacco in the middle. Finishes with a litle tart and this one is showing its integrated and aged character. Still has that dusty character to the finish so it hasn't lost that!! Mediumm+ bodied. Probably lost the sweeter black cherry side a few years ago. But very structured and balanced even still. For those that like the youthful fruit, this one is not going to please. For those who can appreciate this wine for the aged beauty that it is, it is doing well and will probably continue to do so for 5-7 more years.

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