Rudius Wines Rudius Savory Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 750ml

From a Howell Mountain estate vineyard located at 1,700 feet above sea level, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Savory Estate is a textbook example of this mountain terroir and offers terrific blue fruits, tobacco, cedar pencil, and crushed rocks. Possessing remarkable purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, integrated acidity, and ample tannin, this beauty has the purity and balance to drink nicely today yet needs a full 4-5 years of bottle age. It’s going to age for three decades. Hats off to winemaker Jeff Ames!

Aromas of seaweed, oyster shell and iodine with subtle currants. Full to medium body and firm and chewy tannins, yet this remains reserved and polished. Shows wonderful complexity and length. Don’t miss it. From only 1.3 acres. Try in 2020.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Savory Estate contains a splash of Cabernet Franc (3%) co-fermented with the Cabernet Sauvignon, from vines planted in 1998 by Ric Forman at 1,730 feet in elevation. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up gregarious crème de cassis, Black Forest cake and mulberries notes with touches of bay leaves, violets and dark chocolate plus a waft of cigar box. Full-bodied and packed with muscular black fruits, it has a firm, grainy frame and a long, layered finish. 220 cases were made.

Shows off intensity and a raw richness of flavor. Chewy, extracted tannins support a core of anise, blackberry, crushed rock and gravel flavors. Relies on rustic toughness for charm. Best from 2020 through 2032. 200 cases made. (James Laube)