2005 Ruston Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

90 points Robert Parker: "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa comes from several Napa vineyard sites, and is blended with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by lovely aromas of sweet black cherries, black currants, flowers, and spice. Rich, medium to full-bodied, nicely layered, and elegant, think of it as a hypothetical Bordeaux/Napa blend. Enjoy it over the next decade. These are all well-made, elegant wines that remain somewhat under consumers- radar, but they are noteworthy for their complexity as well as singular styles." (12/08) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Intense and well-oaked, offering spicy cedar and mocha flavors joining ripe currant and blackberry fruit that's well-centered and balanced, ending with firm ripe tannins and good length. Drink now through 2014. 963 cases made." (05/09) Ruston is consistently a great Napa Valley Cabernet. I have been a huge fan of John's wines for several years now and was wonderfully suprised to learn that we could get the wine at such a stellar price. This a bright, full-bodied, well-balanced Cabernet with spice chocolate and hints of wood. The layers of flavor on the mid-palate are amazing for a $50 bottle, let alone a $20 one. Put this in your cellar for 3 or 4 years if you would like, but buy this wine while you can. You will probably never see as great a value from Napa than this. (Mike Jordan, K&L Wine Merchants)