95 Points, James Suckling
"This is Rutherford with the
terracotta and dark berry character.
Hints of stone, too. Full body, firm
and silky tannins and a flavorful
finish. A gorgeous wine now but
better in two or three years."
94 Points, Wine Advocate
"From the Morisoli Vineyard, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford showcases loads of sweet blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, Asian plum sauce and blacker currants. It is full-bodied and deep with a note of tobacco leaf, powerful, opulent flavors and a long, long finish with moderate tannin. It is a 25-year wine as well."
- Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Tasting Notes
The 2013 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon captures the legacy of the best Rutherford fruit. This wine shows lush blackberry, black raspberry and black currant highlighted by cloves and allspice. The palate is rounded, weighty and the wonderfully textured tannins carry through the long finish.
220 cases produced.
Vintage Notes
The 2013 vintage began with a warm, dry spring that brought early bud break and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. With no surprises throughout the growing season, temperatures were consistently favorable and even, resulting in notably healthy vines as fruit went through veraison and started ripening. The overall dry season made for a short harvest and was ideal for producing concentrated and balanced Cabernet Sauvignons.
Winemaking Notes
Etude’s philosophy remains steadfast and this Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted with very minimal winemaking intervention. The grapes were cold soaked for 3-5 days, and an extended maceration period followed fermentation to help modify the depth and mouthfeel of the wine, and to fully extract color, flavor and aromatics. The young wine was then racked into small French oak barrels where it aged for 22 months.
