2013 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

As for the red wines, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (14,460 cases) from Rutherford is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It was aged 22 months in mostly French oak, although some American and Hungarian casks were utilized. Most of the fruit comes from the Beckstoffer George III vineyard as well as Hewitt’s own estate vineyard. This beauty may be the best Cabernet Sauvignon from Provenance that I have tasted to date. Loads of crème de cassis, creosote and smoky barbecue notes are followed by a wine with deep blackcurrant fruit, some black cherries, a hint of loamy soil, nice spice, and a layered, full-throttle mouthfeel. The acids are present, giving the wine energy, yet there’s a long finish and impressive purity. This is no wimpish wine either at 15.2% natural alcohol. Drink it over the next 20+ years.