Community Tasting Notes 29

• mflesh wrote: 92 points

  February 16, 2023 - Had 2 more of these that I had forgotten about to be honest with you. But this one has changed a bit. A wine event where Rhone is the word, or Rhone style wines to pair with lamb and pork. This. Was. A. Great. Fit. Not one wino would have guessed that this was a Rutherford Cabernet. Nose and palate were actually more pathognomonic for a Northern Rhone red. Hot red black cherry, grilled meat, tobacco leaf, almost a tiny vegetal character but not at ALL in a bad way. Dang, this wine is drinking WELL tonight. Although I had to leave before the lamb chops were done, I've got no doubt that this wine was a hit with the balanced nature of herbs and red fruits. Delicious. Drink now.

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• mflesh wrote:

  January 31, 2022 - This one is at peak. This one has the grilled blackberries, the slightest hint of meaty character underneath, and Rutherford dust for months. I do think there's a slight bit of bottle variation going on here because, out of 6 (this being #4 consumed), this is the best of the other 3 by a long shot. This would stand in a lineup of Eisele, Insignia and Shafer Hillside Select and would NOT finish in last place (only of these were all served blind, of course, to those who are influenced by what's on the label!). Poured a violent color with a slightly muddy meniscus. Nose was black currant, surprisingly 'spicy' and youthful with hints of roasted nuts and fruitcake. Entry is grilled brambleberry, overripe blackberries, au jus, roasted walnuts and cashews, dates and plums. Finish is very dusty! Tannins are definitely dropping out of this one but allowed for a very elegant yet chalky finish. Held strong for about 90 minutes. In a great spot. I am crossing my fingers that the last 2 bottles are gonna be reading from this chapter in the book because this wine was something special tonight! Now is the time to open these!!

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• mflesh wrote:

  January 13, 2021 - Decided to cellar the other four since the first one was really good and the second one was very meh. Came back to this one about a year later. I think time has done it well, or maybe it's the bottle variation (or both). This is a ripe wine. This particular bottle is right at the top of the drinking curve. It had everything you would want from a classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe red currant, overripe black cherry, a hint of iodine, definitely can get the volcanic nature of the tufa here (yes, WHWines is just about the only producer in Rutherford AVA that has Tufa in the soils). Middle of this wine gets a little bit of black olive and green pepper, and herbal qualities that are not unappealing in any way. Finishes still with a nice acidic character but there are also some lilacs here, even some fresh cut flowers. Very intriguing. Fine grit sediment on the neck and shoulder. This one was a delight tonight. Fingers crossed for the remaining 3! This one is a 93-94.

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• mflesh wrote:

  February 21, 2020 - This bottle didn't show as well as the first. Was a little disappointed but the classic Rutherford dust was very, very present. As it should be if you're making wine. In Rutherford. Easy there, Quintessa.

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• mflesh wrote: 94 points

  February 14, 2020 - Ripe for drinking from cork pop. Perfectly balanced. Blackberry, black cherry, iodine, roasted fig, pipe tobacco. Roasted pecan character on the finish. Great acidity. Went well with hummus, Greek fare, Mediterranean spices. Classic Rutherford dusty tannin on the finish with adequate, not overbearing black pepper notes. This wine is in the zone. I have 5 more of these and will be drinking them all within the next year or 2. Really close to giving this a 95.

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2006
• Type Red
• Producer William Harrison
• Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Napa Valley
• Appellation Rutherford

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 93 (25%)
• Consumed 275 (75%)

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