2004 RUTHERFORD
Napa Valley
THE BLEND 92% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Cabernet Franc
PRODUCTION 1188 cases
RELEASE DATE October 2007
STATS
Harvest ~ August 31 – September 14. 24.9° brix at harvest. 13.6 % alcohol. 6.1 gr/1 total acidity. 3.62 pH. Aged 24 months in second-use French oak
A BRIEF HISTORY
Rutherford: no other name in the Napa Valley conjures such
strong identity. Gustave Niebaum, Georges de Latour, André
Tchelistcheff, and John Daniel all built their dreams and hopes
around capturing the haunting essence of this remarkable place.
Cabernet sauvignon, the vessel used to express their passion,
has long been recognized as the perfect muse for the Rutherford
soils. “Rutherford Dust” is the term that André
attributed to those incredible aromatics, seemingly the most
delicate of balances between the rich black fruit of the north
valley and the taut essence of green olives and bay more typical
of the south. The “Rutherford Bench” is the area
defined by the western slopes of Rutherford and home to the
most legendary of all Rutherford’s cabernets.
Frog’s Leap Rutherford: our most honest attempt to capture
all of the above in a single bottle — history, tradition
and the ultimate expression of winemaking passion.
ABOUT THE WINE
Our restrained winemaking technique — marked especially by the rejection
of new oak barrels — complements the varied aromas and flavors of this
wine, which are distinctly Rutherford. By toning down the oak influence,
the Rutherford embraces its terroir with vibrant aromas of damp earth and
dried fruit. This connection to the “dust” continues with flavors of cassis,
currant, and black olive. Dark cherry and mocha overlay hints of spice and
pepper. Elegant and balanced with a plush mouthfeel (like running your
hand against the grain of velvet), this wine offers quiet beauty in its long
finish highlighted by intensity and fine-grained tannins.
WINEMAKERS
John Williams and Paula Moschetti |
