August 7, 2023 - Upon PNP nose was super sweet and oaky. Corked it and waited til the next day cuz I had to hit the hay early. Next night the nose was earthy with some rich tobacco, flowers, forest floor - the palate was still strong with dark fruit - blackberry and currant, nice acid to balance, and quite the lengthy finish. To go with recent note indicating dark chocolate in the nose...I didn't smell such but did actually taste it slightly. Tannins super silky. Based on notes in the past year or two, I can see this being peak drinking time. We'll see tho I got quite a few bottles left!
December 28, 2022 - Nose of dark chocolate and bittersweet black fruit. Medium-bodied on the palate, with grilled meat and sweet red fruit. Finish is long.
November 26, 2021 - Double decant for 3 hours. Well into its prime drinking window. There’s something special about Rudd after the 10 year mark. Beautiful wine.
May 30, 2020 - Grilled vegtables and meat, outdoors for first time in this season. Wine was excellent. The blend of 55% Cab, and 27% Cab Franc keeps it labled as a Napa Red the mix is masterful. We enjoyed the the big fullsome flavors which are now well integrated up front and consistently filled the mouth. It is mature but still lively expect it to age well for many years.
December 20, 2019 - Rudd Estates (Zurich): Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.
TN: Wonderful nose with lots of cool blue and black fruit as well as first tertiary aromas. 95/96 point nose. A bit less exciting on the palate as the acidity is not perfectly integrated but otherwise fairly round and balanced with dark Cab Sauvignon fruit and Cab Franc herbal notes. As all Estate Reds this is not yet fully ready but already good to drink with good concentration and length.
April 30, 2019 - This is drinking very well, stewy fruit on the nose, currant, stewed dried strawberry and cherry, but with some darker notes as well. The palate is juicy, drinking really well at the moment, but still has decades left in it. Shows how good these can be with age.
January 27, 2019 - WX+ 'X9 Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Meetup (My House - Hanover Park, IL): Fresher qualities with rustic tannins. Blue and purple fruit for days. Very nice. Brighter elements and a more balanced finish than lots of the wines tonight.
July 2, 2018 - Third bottle was disappointing. Acidic, not as balanced or flavorful. Peaked already? (Cork fell apart on this one as well.)
April 16, 2017 - Second bottle equally delicious. Now THAT'S a good wine, says my spouse. Bananas and chocolate, with a hint of the licorice and menthol I found toward the end of the last bottle. Warning: couldn't get the bottom of the cork out, had to push through.
December 29, 2016 - A nice bottle of Rudd. Had through a Coravin (my first time using, got as a gift). Classic Rudd flavors of dirt and Bordeaux driven dusty dark fruit. However, the power wasn't there. More ripe on mid-palate and finish was not there. CT says to start drinking my first now but since that's done I'm waiting a little longer than usual to drink my next one. Hopefully it will age and have more passion the next tasting.