Rudius Cabernet

WINE TALK
1

Just ordered a few bottles of Jeff Ames 07 and 08 (futures) cabs.

Are there any experienced Rudius drinkers out there that give me some insights on what I bought?

2

deliciousness? more of a restrained style cabernet, restrained in the sense that there isn’t big ripe fruit and big time oak treatment. From the get go you have polished secondary characteristics, gritty tannins. Spectacular finish that just blankets your mouth. Decently consistent from 06/07. 07 seems to be darker and more brooding opposed to the slightly more food friendly 06. The 07 also I think needs significantly more time.

I suck balls at barrel sample analysis, but the 08 was also a tannic beast when we had it.

3

Nice Charlie, thanks.

Here is an example of a new (to me) wine that I signed up for purely on the recommendation of this Board. Sounds great.

How about the syrah and grenache?

4

You also smell like a rat…

5

Mike,

The grenache and syrahs are very good. My last TNs for each:

  • 2006 Rudius Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/31/2009)
    Decanted 3 hours, enjoyed over the following 3. Inky black color. Wonderfully balanced wine, showing baked plums, salinity, iron, stone. As with all of Jeff’s wines, the mouthfeel is extraordinary, rich and opulent, sublime and complex. Not a hint of alcohol shows through. One of those wines that keeps me excited about this passion we share.
  • 2005 Rudius Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (9/26/2009)
    Popped and poured, enjoyed over two hours. This continues to develop in the bottle and has started to become very special. Well balanced, black fruits, tonight the cracked pepper was very prevalent but offset by the profound taste and smell of osso bucco. Really interesting and complex. Delicious with food. Early in its drinking window, this has the stuff to last another 10 years.
  • 2006 Rudius Syrah Emerald Pool Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (4/10/2009)
    Popped and poured, enjoyed over 4 hours. Very fruity upon opening, then morphed into a cauldron of black fruit, smoked meat, liquid bacon fat, cracked black pepper. It was a glycerin fueled power shot of syrah.
  • 2005 Rudius Grenache - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/21/2009)
    Decanted overnight, poured back into the bottle and drank over 2 hours. Smoky fire roasted red pepper, clove, allspice and cinnamon on the nose. Rich, deep, spicy red fruit palate. This has really smoothed out nicely in the last year. Beautiful finish, complex and hearty.

Posted from CellarTracker

6

equally awesome. Especially at the price point. They are made in a riper style than the cabernet tho… which I prefer in my Syrah/Grenache. The grenache is particularly good. My notes are similar to Brian … cause… we had the same bottle of wine … sitting next to each other… at dinner.

I’m really hard priced to find a better QPR than Jeff’s Rudius stuff. I also like how he does the Rudius more for fun. He said everything he makes ($$ wise) is just considered a bonus … he looks at all his other consulting/winemaker work as his real job. Hopefully that means… he doesn’t raise the price by much each year =)

7

Thanks guys!

Looks like I’m now saddled with another irresistible California wine producer. blush

I also like the way Jeff is handling his mailing list (allocations, shipping, etc.) from what little I’ve seen so far. Seems to be the complete package.

8

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a futures offer for the '08’s today. I’m just a little late to the party.

9

Will this stuff be pouring at the Falltacular. I thought I tasted some syrah or something Rhonish last time. Don’t recall it being restrained.

The cab sound nice. What’s the price?

J

10

i don’t think it was poured. Also the Syrah and Grenache are not restrained at all. Big Lush wines. Cabs are $65

11

Charlie, I think the 07 cab is (was) $62. This is now sold out, I believe. The 08 cab future (still available) is $50.

12

Reasons I hate this board…dropping $150 on a three pack this morning bc I read this post and I have no doubt regarding the palates of some of the people I on here.

So much for buying less in 2010

13

Good stuff if you like the fruit in your Cabernet to be dark, very dark (i.e. Ghost Block). I’m not a huge fan of that style so won’t be buying anymore, but if it doesn’t bother you then definitely give it a shot.

14

I just said hell no to my first chance at buying Quilceda Creek to order the 08 futures. No brainer decision in my book.

15

Mike,

Have enjoyed the '05 and '06 Syrahs immensely, but just opened my first Rudius Cab ('06) last night. Only did a shoulder pour last night, but tonight, wow. I was disappointed that the nose was subdued, but I just can’t stop going back to the glass. I normally drink 1-2 glasses per night at most, but could easily finish the entire bottle of Cab tonight. Just opened a bottle of the '06 Havens Black and Blue to try and distract me and leave at least half the bottle of Cab for tomorrow. Not sure if that strategy will work.

For Rudius lovers, just got an email from Blicker Pierce today (bpwine.com) with an offer for '06 Emerald Pool, West Block and Spirit Rock Syrahs (1 case each) at $44.95, which is basically release price. I ordered three bottles of the Emerald Pool, which has been phenominal. Only 55 cases produced, so a case available at this point is surprising. Sorry to say that I cornered the BP market for the '05 RRV Syrah, which is also drinking amazing at the moment, but I would highly recommend the EP, as well as the West Block or Spirit Rock. Grabbed my allocation of the’07 Cab and will probably add a few more '08 with the recent offer as well. As an aside, BP also has the Havens Black and Blue at $17 (down to 80 bottles from several hundred), about half of the price you will see it elsewhere.

I can’t speak highly enough of Jeff’s efforts with Rudius and just recently bought more or his work from Tor as well.

Buy! (no affliliation with BP or Jeff, just a fan) [cheers.gif]

Steve
Cheers. [cheers.gif]