u/GrilledCheeseTn

I’m not sure if I like this wine but I don’t dislike it. I believe it may have been a LB Marathon purchase.

In the glass it started out purple however over time, more garnet with a reddish rim.

There was the classic Spring Mountain perfume as it was poured into the decanter, simply intoxicating.

On the nose, bright ripe black fruit, coffee, milk chocolate, oak and irony stone. Weirdly new and old world.

On the palate, medium bodied and mildly acidic with being smooth but slightly tart with bright red and black fruit, crushed stone, cigar, earth, and tea. The wine felt tannic to me and a little hot based in the 14.9% abv.

100% Cabernet
abv 14.9%
Decant 1.5 hrs

I don’t dislike it but not something I would reach for. It feels like a BBQ wine, similar to how you would enjoy Zin.

I’ve gone through 1/2 a case of this wine, it’s super versatile and drinks very nicely.

The 2017 Rutherford Bench Reserve is comprised of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

It’s garnet-purple in color.

On the nose, red fruit notes of raspberry and cherry, violets and hint of earth.

On the palate, ripe raspberry, anise, baked cherries, cedar and black tea. The wine is medium bodied but felt a little grainy.

Decant 1.5 hours

14.4% abv

Edit: Now on hour 3, the ripeness of the fruit has mellowed and there is a creaminess to the wine. Still red fruit forward but now with a vanilla - raspberry cream.