{"product_id":"lot-19-2023-rutherford-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Lot 19 2023 Rutherford District Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93-Points James Suckling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e Dark-fruited and savory, with aromas of blackberries, cassis, plums, cedar and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with firm yet integrated tannins and balanced acidity, showing flavors of dark cherries, cocoa and tobacco. Earth-driven and structured, with depth and freshness. Drink or hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunny story...the other night I joined some friends for a very high-end wine dinner pouring a \"who's who\" of white Burgundy, Italian Barolo's and a 100-point 2021 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just happened to have brought along a bottle of CAM X Lot 4 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay as well as a bottle of today's offer, CAM X Lot 19 2023 Rutherford District Cabernet Sauvignon. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to admit the $1000 bottle of Leflaive 2018 Puligny Montrachet Grand Cru was mind-blowingly FANTASTIC, the bouquet alone was worth the price of entry, just phenomenal. But, dammit, the Lot 4 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay actually held its own for about 1% of the price. I thought that was pretty cool and the crowd was beyond impressed. Can't wait for you folks to get your first taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHOWEVER, the showstopper was Lot 19 2023 Rutherford District Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFolks, if you buy one Cabernet Sauvignon from me this year, this is the one. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine came to me from a friend who used to manage the production and barrel storage for this entity during a facility transition. The producer made their legendary reputation pioneering California Pinot Noir from the 80's forward but have spread their \"wings\" under new ownership to include a broad, indeed encyclopedic, array of single-vineyard designated varietals from California's Grand Cru vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard in question today located on the east side of the valley just along the Silverado Trail, lets call it F2, is certainly one of those. Combine the best blocks in the vineyard, 100% new French oak, and world-class wine making with a legendary brand and you've got a $250-$300 bottle of wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday it's yours, no kidding, not for $299 per bottle but for just $\u003cstrong\u003e35\/bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIs it worth it? The reaction at the table was the same as mine vis-a-vis the Grand Cru white burg...mind-blown. Nobody could believe this wine held its own against a $700+, 100-point Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon...but it did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main difference? Focus. The 100-point wine has a good 700-1000 feet of elevation behind it hence still tightly wound with brilliant focus. In a word, magnificent, and still a baby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLot 19 on the other hand, was a total knockout. Pure, effusive, fleshy and potent, it was fleshier in style but still brilliantly composed and powerfully structured. Liquid silk on the palate with tremendous energy behind it. Quite frankly, the most amazing part is the absolutely seamless wood integration, astonishing for a wine with 100% NFO.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo there you have it...\u003cbr\u003eLegendary producer? Check.\u003cbr\u003eLegendary vineyard? Check\u003cbr\u003e$250+ price point? Check.\u003cbr\u003eWorld-class winemaking protocols? Check.\u003cbr\u003e100% new French Oak? Check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpaque, squid ink in the glass. Initially a black hole of a bouquet with a convex nose that pulls you down into the glass. However, it quickly blooms with a stunning aromatic array of signature Rutherford dust, red rock and black earth, with sweet purple florals that halo gobs of raspberry kirsch and \u003cem\u003ecreme de mure\u003c\/em\u003e framed by cocoa oak. So much here it almost overpowers the senses. Ripe, seamless and perfectly integrated on the palate, deep dark delicious with ripe black and red fruits, graphite and earth welded to perfectly integrated oak. Incredibly rich and lush on the palate but with ample verve as the powerful yet open knit structure unfurls an energizer bunny of a finish. As it opens further, the fruit comes to the fore showcasing blackberry pie, dark chocolate, white flowers, graham cracker and black pepper. This is a magnificent wine with a stunning, magic carpet ride structure, fantastic mineral laced tannins and perfect balance combined with phenomenal complexity and seamless integration. YUM.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% new French Oak\u003cbr\u003e100% Rutherford, single-vineyard\u003cbr\u003e94% Cabernet, 3% Petite Verdot, 3% Malbec\u003cbr\u003e14.8% alc.\u003cbr\u003eBottled 6\/27\/25\u003cbr\u003e125 cases produced.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CAM X Wine by Cameron Hughes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50790788137253,"sku":"LOT0019.BTL","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/4277\/5333\/files\/CAMX-Negociant-L19-Cabernet-RutherfordNV.png?v=1763609304","url":"https:\/\/camxwine.com\/products\/lot-19-2023-rutherford-cabernet-sauvignon","provider":"CAM X Wine by Cameron Hughes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}