Grapelive Wine of the Week

By Kerry Winslow

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2009 Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
91% from Boeschen Vineyard and 9% from Panek Vineyard the new 2009 Rudius is a focused and rich Cabernet Sauvignon that shows primary characteristics and supporting tannins at this early stage, but it looks like the best vintage yet from this hot new producer. With a small amount of Cabernet Franc this dense wine has a hint of Saint-Emilion that comes through with the thickly textured red fruits and subtle perfume, though more powerful dark fruits emerge with time in the glass lifted by sweet toasty oak from the combination of Taransaud, Darnajou and Sylvain French oak barrels, about 70% of which were new. Artisan winemaking with natural wild yeasts and limited racking show the love of terroir and commitment to purity of expression. Give this baby some time and reap the rewards of patience and faith, this is a stunning wine that should start showing dynamic force in 3 to 5 years and drink great for 10 to 20 years. Lavish even now with layers of blackberry, bing cherry, plum, currants, creme de cassis with tobacco, vanilla, graphite and licorice.
($65 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive


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