August 25, 2017

RUTHERFORD HILL "Rutherford" Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

(Rutherford, Napa Valley, California) $68

The phrase “iron fist in a velvet glove” was coined long ago as a metaphor for cabernet sauvignons that are counterintuitively (and fascinatingly) both soft and structured, plush and powerful. Like this Rutherford Hill—a wine with a soaring arc of delicious flavor and a finish that fades more slowly than an old French film. Founded in 1972, Rutherford Hill was among the wineries that initiated Napa Valley’s Second Golden Age. Winemaker Marisa Taylor was once the assistant winemaker at Williams Selyem and she has a knack for bringing out an almost pinot noir-like silkiness in cabernet sauvignon. (14.5% abv)

93 points KM

Available at Rutherford Hill

Which traditional Bordeaux variety has become more synonymous with Chile than with its ancestral home?

A. Malbec

B. Carmenère

C. Cabernet Franc

D. Petit Verdot

Today considered Chile’s signature grape, carmenère was brought to Chile from Bordeaux in the late 19th century. Chilean landowners and mining barons had begun to showcase their wealth by building wine estates modeled after the grand châteaux of Bordeaux. The Chileans planted vineyards with imported French grapes, most notably cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and carmenère. Indigenous to Bordeaux, carmenère ripens late in the year—so much so that, in Bordeaux it barely ever achieved ripeness, producing wines that tasted more like rhubarb juice than a grand vin. After the phylloxera epidemic in France, it was almost never replanted. But in Chile carmenère thrived in the long, warm growing season.

14.8

Number (in billions) of Sweethearts candies produced annually. The original message-dyed, heart-shaped sweets date back to 1902 and often made humorously long-winded prophecies: “Married in Pink, He will take to drink.” Today’s candies sport some… Continue reading

RUTHERFORD HILL "Rutherford" Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Get WineSpeed