Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Leslie Rudd’s beautiful, fully mature 2001 Rudd Estate Proprietary Red (a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot) boasts a dense plum/purple hue as well as a sweet bouquet of chocolate, creme de cassis, truffles, damp earth and wood smoke. Opulent and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannins and low acidity, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 15+ years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Classic Oakville, detailed and refined, powerful in fruit and tannins; assertive and authoritative, yet manages to be graceful and elegant. A fulfilling wine, balanced and harmonious. Clearly has the stuffing to enjoy a ripe old age.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.