Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (2009)

About this wine

This 2009 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from Conway Family Wines offers a deep garnet color and a complex bouquet of ripe blackberries, plums, and subtle hints of sagebrush. On the palate, it presents a plush, mouth-filling texture with flavors of black raspberry and cherry, complemented by layers of spice and a touch of graphite. The wine's balanced acidity and smooth, polished tannins lead to a lingering finish with notes of mocha and a slight hint of new oak. Sourced from esteemed vineyards in Rutherford, Atlas Peak, and Pritchard Hill, this wine showcases the unique characteristics of these renowned Napa Valley regions. Notably, it has been observed to improve upon revisiting the following day, highlighting its well-structured nature and aging potential.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape variety that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it well-suited to various climates. In Napa Valley's Rutherford region, the unique 'Rutherford Dust' soil—a blend of gravel, loam, sand, and volcanic deposits—provides excellent drainage and imparts distinctive earthy flavors to the grapes. This terroir has been instrumental in producing some of the world's most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons, with the region's wines often characterized by their rich, complex profiles and fine-grained tannins.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 2009 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from Conway Family Wines was crafted from grapes sourced from esteemed vineyards in Napa Valley's Rutherford, Atlas Peak, and Pritchard Hill regions, each contributing unique characteristics to the blend.
• 🪵 This wine was aged in 30% new French oak barrels for 20 months, enhancing its complexity and structure.
• 🏅 The 2009 vintage received a Gold Medal and an 'Exceptional' rating from Tastings.com in 2013, scoring 93 points out of 100.
• 🌍 Rutherford, the wine's appellation, is renowned for its unique 'Rutherford dust' terroir, imparting distinctive earthy notes to its Cabernet Sauvignons.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The 2009 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon was the inaugural vintage under the Conway label, created to honor the family's patriarch, Christopher Conway, and his passion for California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Palate profile

Producer

Conway Family Wines, established in 2007 by siblings Tom, Gillian, and John Conway, is a family-owned winery located in Santa Barbara, California. The winery produces two labels: Deep Sea, which sources grapes from coastal vineyards to reflect the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, and Conway, which reserves the best barrels and vineyard sources for wines that display exceptional character and complexity. The family shares a deep passion for the arts, wilderness, and the ocean, with all members being certified open water scuba divers. Their Deep Sea Tasting Room, situated on Stearns Wharf overlooking the Pacific Ocean, combines their love for wine and the sea, offering visitors a unique tasting experience.