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: 2003 Rudd "Oakville Estate" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

2003 Rudd "Oakville Estate" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

SKU #1020259 95 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark This wine’s reddish/brown label is the color of the rustic, volcanic, rocky soils found in this part of the Oakville Corridor. Composed of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 3% Malbec (14.9% alcohol), it boasts an opaque purple color along with a sumptuous bouquet of charcoal, scorched earth (reminiscent of Haut Brion), and intense black and blue fruits. Rich, opulent and full-bodied, this 2003 is performing even better than it did early on. Stunningly profound with some tannin still to shed, it remains somewhat tight and reserved, but the wine is bursting with enormous potential. Forget it for another 3-5 years and drink it over the following two decades. (RP) 95+ Inner quote mark (6/2013)

91 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Full ruby-red. Cassis, licorice and minerals on the nose. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, with complex, Medoc-like flavors of graphite, dark chocolate, violet and spices. As young and firm as this is, it comes across as considerably more lush than the Oakville cabernet sauvignon. Very strong wine, close in quality to the 2002. I can see this gaining in texture and richness for a decade or more. (ST) 91+ Inner quote mark (5/2006)

Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Mature and drying, presenting a hint of nut and chicory, with dried dark berry, crushed rock, cedar and graphite notes. (JL) Inner quote mark (11/2013)

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2003 Rudd "Oakville Estate" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

Price: $89.99

Quantity:

RP: 95

VN: 91

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.