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Tasting notes
The 2009 RunRig has no Viognier in it—the only one in the lineup—and incidentally, this bottle I am tasting today has been sealed under screw cap. The decision to exclude Viognier came at the time because the fruit was deemed floral and lifted enough without the addition. Today, the wine certainly has delicacy and floral character that fits with the style of the cuvée, however it is certainly quite different from its peers. Texturally, the screw cap closure has tightened the tannins, which remain closed and tightly wound. The thinking around reds under screw cap is that, with time and air, the wine will gain the textural softness that a natural cork can provide. The answer might be a little more nuanced than simply, "cork over screw cap" (or vice versa). Screw-cap liners and quality differ widely, and producers can select their preference based on desired outcomes (measured oxygen ingress being one). What if the screw-cap wine won't unfurl, even given the time? We can't know the answer until more time has passed. So, we shall see. For now, this is incredibly fresh and tightly coiled. The majority of the 2009 vintage was sealed under natural cork, as are all the other vintages of this wine; the screw-cap closure accounts for less than 5% of the total, as a trial. The difference this wine exhibits in this lineup is touted (in this room today) to be due to closure, not varietal cepage. 15% alcohol.
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Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(100% shiraz; 15% alcohol): Inky purple. Displays room-filling scents of dark fruit preserves, oak spices, violet pastille, cola and licorice, with a cracked pepper nuance adding lift. Deeply concentrated boysenberry and cassis flavors reach every corner of the palate and show superb energy and clarity for their power. Intensely perfumed and appealingly sweet on the finish, which features substantial but integrated tannins and persistent floral and fruitcake qualities. Built for the long haul, no question, but there's a lot of upfront sex appeal here as well; you could drink it now without guilt--or perhaps just a twinge.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 RunRig opens with wonderful perfume, and though this label usually contains a splash of Viognier, which could account for the fragrant nose, it has none this vintage. Redolent of violets and blueberries it is very spicy with an undercurrent of anise and Indian spices muddled with mulberries. Taut and elegant on the palate, it gives plenty of concentrated fruit flavor with crisp acid and firm, fine tannins. It finishes long. Drink it from 2016 to 2030+. Wine Advocate.February, 2013
It seems to odd to say that a 97-point wine wasn't showing particularly well, but that's how I felt about the 2009 RunRig. It shows all of the rich, silky plushness expected of RunRig but maybe just a bit less perfume, looking more like black cherries and mocha than raspberries and violets. I still wouldn't throw it out of bed for eating crackers. Aug 2018, www.robertparker.com