2005 Rutherford Bench Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest: While the 2005 harvest will go down in history as one of the biggest harvests EVER, with tonnage up as much as 40% of average, most of the vineyards that produced at Sequoia Grove were only slightly above average tonnage levels.  The lower sugars from the cooler weather mean alcohols that are more in balance and the higher than normal natural acidity make a balanced wine with little manipulation needed.  The long, cool growing season helped flavors develop beautifully and the larger than normal crop allowed us to have even more room to select only the best lots to make it into our blends. 

 

Description:  Deep, dark red in color, the intensity of the color immediately gets your attention.  The nose quickly wows with notes of milk chocolate, black licorice, pencil lead and that ever present, elusive dusty, spicy character.  Secondary notes of vanilla and black pepper bring the nose deeper into the glass.  On the palate, the wine is seamless and very stacked with great structure.  Fresh blackberry tickles the tongue from first entry to finish.  The wine ends in an upnote of flavor, encouraging another sip.

 

Food suggestions:  This complex wine pairs well with delicately prepared dishes with nuances of flavor.  Wild mushroom risotto served with a high-quality, seared rib-eye that is still pink in the middle, and side of caramelized beets would pair nicely.  This wine could age another 10-12 years easily.

 

Grapes:  The majority of grapes come from our own 24 acre Rutherford estate where all five Bordeaux varietals are grown:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec

• Blending Varietals brix at harvest: between 24.4 and 26.2
• Blending Varietals harvest date: October 3-November 4, 2005
• Cabernet Sauvignon brix at harvest: between 23.6 and 26.0
• Cabernet Sauvignon harvest date:  October 10-November 4, 2005
  

 Winemaking practices: 

• Hand picked
• Hand-sorted fruit
• 2-3 day cold soak
• Inoculated with an assortment of French yeast strains
• Small batch fermentations
• Pumpovers 2-3 times per day
  
• Malolactic fermentation in barrels and upright wooden casks
• Racked three times before bottling
Bottle size:  750 mL  
Retail Price: $65    
Bottling date:  August 2007  
Release date:  October 2008

Detailed Wine Information