This inaugural 2018 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an expressively perfumed bouquet of exuberant dark-berry fruits, Black Forest cake, and crème de cassis, florals of violet and rose petal, and lifted baking spice notes from the well-integrated oak barrel character. On the palate, juicy, saturated black cherry and macerated red raspberry supported by darker hints of espresso, mocha, and bittersweet chocolate. The structured “Rutherford Dust” tannins are grippy and plush, with signature cocoa powder texture and expansive mouthfeel. Rich, with depth and balance, leading to a velvety-smooth and persistent finish.
Critic Ratings
Wine Spectator Review - Issue Mar 31, 2022 - Rated 92:
Rich and broad in style, featuring a wave of warmed cassis and dark plum fruit flavors scored with licorice, sassafras and singed alder. Everything is knit tightly through the lengthy finish, where a bolt of iron courses underneath for extra support. Best from 2023 through 2037. 10,456 cases made. — JM
Jeb Dunnuck Review - Tasted 1/27/2021 - Rated 94:
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve is a deeper, richer wine with impressive chocolatey blackcurrant fruits as well as lots of tobacco, damp earth, camphor, and new leather-like aromas and flavors. It’s beautifully textured and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a great finish. I’d be thrilled to drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Panel Review - Rated 94:
Smooth and rich with a bright acid structure, this classic and generous Napa Cabernet is enormously drinkable now but would benefit from some aging.
James Suckling Review - Published July 5, 2021 - Rated 96:
This is so aromatic with redcurrants, flowers and crushed stones. Some bark and rose stem, too. Full-bodied, yet so refined and textured with a lovely finish of fruit and hints of berry and light chocolate. So delicious now, but will develop nicely in the bottle. Drink or hold.
