Rutherford Grove

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Rutherford Grove 2006 Pestoni Family Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)

Cellar Selection

Price $65

Here’s a big, gutsy powerhouse of a Cab. It’s thick in tannins, with concentrated blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate, cedar and spicebox flavors. Nowhere near ready. Classic Howell Mountain. Hold until after 2011, at least, and should develop for many years. — S.H. (11/1/2009)

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Rutherford Grove 2008 Pestoni Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $45

A beautiful Cabernet, dry and rich, with wonderful tannins. They’re firm, yet soft and sweet, an apparent contradiction the palate loves. Shows near perfect ripeness, an impressive range of blackberries, plums and cassis, and an earthy herbaceousness. May be a little too young for proper enjoyment, so give it a few years in the cellar. — S.H. (5/1/2012)

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Rutherford Grove 2008 Spring Creek Vineyard Petite Sirah (Napa Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $37

Here’s a big, thick, tannic, ripe wine, impressive for its sheer power and fruit. In other words, it’s classic Petite Sirah. The flavors are just wild, suggesting blackberries, plums, bacon, orange tea and exotic spices. Absolutely delicious, with classic Napa balance. Shows why Petite Sirah has such momentum. Will age easily for at least a decade. — S.H. (5/1/2012)

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Rutherford Grove 2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)

Price $65

This is a superior wine. This is big, flashy, dramatic, deeply flavored and ageable. Those legendary Howell Mountain tannins are firm, but can’t stop the cassis and mocha flavors from exploding on the palate. Good now, with decanting, and should hold for a good eight years with proper cellaring. — S.H. (12/1/2007)

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Rutherford Grove 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Online Exclusive

Price $45

Textbook Rutherford Cab. It’s forward and lush now in ripe black and red cherry pie and dusty spice flavors, with oak adding caramel, smoke and buttered toast notes. Feels opulent and fat and just plain good. Should continue to evolve in the bottle for years. — S.H. (12/1/2010)

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Rutherford Grove 2005 Estate Reserve Merlot (Howell Mountain)

Price $50

Anyone who thinks Merlot is dead should taste this lovely wine. It’s dry and firm in tannins and authoritative, with complex currant, violet, mocha, cedar and spice flavors set against a gorgeous overlay of smoky oak. Delicious now, and should age for six years or so. — S.H. (12/31/2008)

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Rutherford Grove 2005 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain)

Price $65

A very rich, stylish Cab that shows forward fruit flavors and is softer and more accessible than you’d expect for a Howell Mountain red wine. Made with 25% Merlot, it shows classic cassis and cherries, leading to a very long, spicy finish. Should develop additional complexities over the next eight years. — S.H. (12/1/2008)

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Rutherford Grove 2008 Estate Merlot (Rutherford)

Price $32

If you think you don’t like Merlot, try this one. It shows classic Napa Valley structure, with smooth, firm tannins and seductive flavors of sweet cherries, plums and currants. Delicious now with a good steak. — S.H. (5/1/2012)

Most Reviewed Designations

Estate Estate Reserve Pestoni Family Pestoni Family Estate Pestoni Family Estate Reserve Pestoni Family Spring Creek Vineyard Rutherford Bench Spring Creek Vineyard

Most Reviewed Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petite Sirah Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Écluse Lock Vineyard

California Cabernet simply doesn’t get richer or riper than this. It…

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