2004 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 94

"The 2004 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red (a 2,500-case blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc) was aged 20 months in French wood. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color followed by scents of licorice, black currants, underbrush, charcoal, and spice characteristics. With terrific fruit as well as an opulent texture, it should drink well for 12-15 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 2006

 

2003 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 93

"The 2003 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. This opaque purple-colored 2003 offers sweet aromas of scorched earth, tobacco leaf, blackberries, and currants. Layered, beautifully-textured, broad, elegant, and refreshing, this well-structured, superb effort should be consumed between 2008-2020."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate #162, December 2005

2002 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 95

"A superb although closed offering is the 2002 Proprietary Estate wine from Oakville, a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, and 1% Malbec. Aged 20 months in oak, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine displays a distinctive perfume reminiscent of a top-notch Graves. Aromas of scorched earth, tobacco leaf, black currants, and blueberries are accompanied by a striking minerality, high tannins and a certain austerity, which suggest considerable aging potential for this wine, which is concentrated with a certain exuberance and unctuosity but firm structure. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate #157, February 28, 2005

2001 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 95

"The 2001 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red (1,950 cases of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Malbec and Petit Verdot) exhibits an inky/purple/black color. This huge, powerful, deep, rich 2001 reveals telltale, big, sweet, chocolatey, espresso, blackberry, cassis aromas as well as massive flavors that ooze across the palate with great richness, purity, and equilibrium. The wine's wonderful sweetness is due to the full phenolic ripeness and elevated glycerin. High tanning is well-concealed by the extravagant richness of this brilliant effort."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2000 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 93

"The opaque purple-colored 2000 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red (1,200 cases) reveals a gorgeous perfume of melted licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, white flowers, and truffles. Spicy and rich, with low acidity as well as a surprisingly sexy, deep mid-palate, it is one of the finest efforts of this difficult vintage. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, it is best consumed over the next 10-12 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, August 31, 2002

2000 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 93

"The opaque purple-colored 2000 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red (1,200 cases) reveals a gorgeous perfume of melted licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, white flowers, and truffles. Spicy and rich, with low acidity as well as a surprisingly sexy, deep mid-palate, it is one of the finest efforts of this difficult vintage. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, it is best consumed over the next 10-12 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate#150, December 2003

2000 RUDD OAKVILLE ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED
RATING 91

"Aromas of currant, black cherry, smoked meat, truffle and loam. Lush and sweet, with a very suave texture and complex flavors of graphite, truffle and game. Dens, fat and ripe; a very successful cabernet-based wine from the 2000 vintage."
~ Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 05-01-03

2003 RUDD ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RATING 91

"The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (76% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color, firm tannin, and an enticing nose of black currants, espresso roast, charcoal, and cedar wood. Although closed, it is dense, promising, and ageworthy, with an upside potential of 12-15 years.."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate #162, December 2005

2002 RUDD ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RATING (95)

"The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate is a 2,550-case blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. It is aged 20 months in new French oak prior to bottling. This super effort comes across as a Napa version of top-flight Pauillac. Dense ruby/purple to the rim with a gorgeous nose of smoke, cedar, burning wood firs, and créme de cassis, this powerful, intensely rich, complex Cabernet reveals notions of chocolate, charcoal, and blackberry fruit. It should age effortlessly for up to 15 or more years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2005

2002 RUDD ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RATING (94-96)

"The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. The only Rudd cuvee to include Merlot, this 2002 was a real labor of love according to Charles Thomas because so much of the harvested fruit had to be eliminated due to raisining caused by heat spikes. Thomas also said that producers willing to make the effort had the potential to produce great wines. This is a powerful, full-bodied, intensely rich Cabernet offering notes of espresso, fudge, cedar, spice and voluptuous richness, it should be accessible young, but last for 12-15 years. A brilliant effort!"
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2001 RUDD ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON RATING (95)

"The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (2,150 cases of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc) is spectacular. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of espresso roast, melted fudge, blackberries, currants, and smoke. Rich, with great intensity, tremendous purity, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, and good underlying tannin as well as freshness, it should drink well for 12- 15 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2001 RUDD ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RATING (90-93)

"Good full ruby. Porty aromas of black cherry, tobacco and menthol. Sweeter and fuller in the mouth than the 2000 Jericho bottling, with black cherry and menthol flavors. The big, tongue-dusting tannins are broad and firm."
~ Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 05-01-03

2000 RUDD "JERICHO CANYON VINEYARD"
         NAPA VALLEY RED WINE
RATING (90-92)

"The 2000 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Proprietary Red (a 2,500 case blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot) is atypically full-bodied and powerful for the vintage. While it may not possess the complexity of the 1999, it offers copious quantities of black fruits, licorice, and coffee. Dense and supple, with sweet tannin and a long finish, it should drink well for 12-15 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, August 31, 2002

2000 RUDD "JERICHO CANYON VINEYARD"
         NAPA VALLEY RED WINE
90 POINTS

"A ripe, rich and supple-textured wine, loaded with red currant, plum and wild berry flavors, deftly balanced, full-bodied from start to finish, and ending with a long, rich aftertaste. A blend of 53 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 percent Merlot, 17 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2010."
~ James Laube/ Wine Spectator Weekly, July 17, 2003

1999 RUDD "JERICHO CANYON VINEYARD"
         NAPA VALLEY RED WINE
92 POINTS

"There are 1,600 cases of the 1999 Jericho Chanyon Vineyard Proprietary Red. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It boasts both an impressive opaque purple color and bouquet of creme de cassis, roasted coffee, melted chocolate, toasty oak, licorice, and creosote. Full-bodied, thick, and rich, with brooding but well-integrated tannin under all the flesh and density, it will undoubtedly firm up (particularly in a cold cellar), and last for 15+ years."
~ Robert M. Parker/ The Wine Advocate, August 31, 2002

2003 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
RATING (88-90)

"The Burgundian-styled Chardonnays are aged 18 months in oak on their lees with bâtonnage and bottled unfiltered if possible. The 2002 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard displays attractive notes of orange rind, tangerine oil, medium to full body, and nice leesy, popcorn-like flavors with a hint of hazelnuts and tropical fruit. It is an attractive, subtle, authoritatively flavored Chardonnay to drink over the next 3-4 years"
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2005

2002 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
RATING (92)

"The 2003 Chardonnay Bacigalupi seems to have a bit more tart acidity, not the flesh and palate impact of the 2002, but elegant, fresh, lemony and citrusy notes offered in a medium-bodied format. It should drink well for 3-4 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2002 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
RATING (90-92)

"The 2002 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard possesses the telltale citrus oil notes as well as hints of orange rind, flowers, and tropical fruits. Rich, exuberant, and forward, it will provide delicious drinking over the next three years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2001 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
RATING (92)

"The spectacular 2001 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard offers aromas of orange marmalade, lemon oils, crushed rocks, and smoky hazelnuts in its medium to full-bodied, well delineated personality. With crisp acidity as well as a fresh, lively textured finish, it could easily pass for a ripe Corton-Charlemagne from Burgundy. Drink it over the next 3-4 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2000 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
90 POINTS

"Rudd's Chardonnay is produced from a vineyard in Sebastapol area of Sonoma called Bacigalupi, which is planted with an old Wente clone on St. George rootstock. Between 1,500 and 2,500 cases are produced each year. The wine spends 22 months in oak, of which 60-70% is new, and it is bottle unfiltered. The 2000 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard exhibits a light gold color in addition to a big, crisp, fresh, and lively, with underlying orange and smoky characteristics, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 1-3 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

1999 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
93 POINTS

"Beautiful, vivid fruit, earth and mineral aromas, with rich, deeply flavored, succulent pear, fig, mineral, hazelnut and creamy flavors. The texture is smooth and supple, and the finish goes on and on. Another beauty from Rudd, working with Russian River grapes."
~ J.L./ Wine Spectator Weekly, 2-21-02

1999 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
         "BACIGALUPI VINEYARD"
88 POINTS

"Rudd produces approximately 1,000 cases of Chardonnay from the Russian River vineyard of Bacigalupi. It reveibes full malolactic fermentation, aging in Grench oak, and minimal clarification at bottling. The 1999 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard exhibits delicate yet flavorful citrus oil notes intermixed with apple blossom and mineral scents. Medim-bodied, delicate, cubltle and finely etched, it will provide lovely drinking over the next 4-5 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, August 31, 2002

2000 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
90 POINTS

"Smooth and creamy, with rich, intense fig, anise, apricot and toasty, buttery oak that adds a nice flavor dimension. Long, concentrated finish."
~ J.L./ Wine Spectator Weekly, 5-8-03

1999 RUDD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY
92 POINTS

"... Ripe, rich and full-blown, but for all its intensity and concentration, there's a sense of elegance and finesse, as the creamy pear, fig, nectarine and light vanilla-scented oak flavors are delicate and sharply focused. Finishes long and complex."
~ J.L./ Wine Spectator Weekly, 2-21-02

1999 RUDD CARNEROS CHARDONNAY
93 POINTS

"A sleek, yet deceptively rich and complex wine that's deeply concentrated and full of ripe fig, pear, citrus, light toasty oak and hazelnut flavors. Sharply focused and long on the finish, another impressive showing from Rudd."
~ J.L./ Wine Spectator Weekly, 2-21-02

2003 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
89 POINTS

"The flinty crisp, Spottswoode-style of Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and attractive in a light to medium-bodied style. There are between 1,600 and 2,000 cases produced in any given vintage, and this non-malolactic Sauvignon shows crisp fig, herbal, lemon grass notes, medium body, and loads of flavor. I thought both the 2002 and 2003 were essentially equivalent in quality, with the 2002 perhaps having a slight edge in texture and the 2003 offering more aromatic penetration. Both need to be drunk over the next 1-2 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr,'s The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2005

2002 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
89 POINTS

"The flinty crisp, Spottswoode-style of Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and attractive in a light to medium-bodied style. There are between 1,600 and 2,000 cases produced in any given vintage, and this non-malolactic Sauvignon shows crisp fig, herbal, lemon grass notes, medium body, and loads of flavor. I thought both the 2002 and 2003 were essentially equivalent in quality, with the 2002 perhaps having a slight edge in texture and the 2003 offering more aromatic penetration. Both need to be drunk over the next 1-2 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr,'s The Wine Advocate, February 28, 2005

2002 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
89 POINTS

"Even better is the 2002 Sauvignon Blanc. Subtle aromas of grapefruit, figs, minerals, and oak build incrementally in the mouth. This medium-bodied, richly fruity yet elegant, stylish Sauvignon will drink well for 1-2 years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr,'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2001 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
87 POINTS

"The 2001 Sauvignon Blanc exhibits crisp, lemony, grapefruit, and melon notes with hints of earth in the background. Medium-bodied and well-made, it requires consumption over the next year."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr,'s The Wine Advocate, December 23, 2003

2000 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
93 POINTS / "Exceptional"

"Brilliant yellow straw hue. Aroma of ripe grapefruit and pear with vanilla notes. Rich entry leads to a full-bodied palate with deeply concentrated fruit and a long, persistent finish. An outstanding barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc in a rich California style."
~ The Beverage Testing Institute / www.tastings.com, April 2002

2000 RUDD NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
85 POINTS

"The 2000 Sauvignon Blanc (1,500 cases) is a crisp, fresh, tart offering with notes of minerals, figs, flint, and grapefruit. Although slightly austere and acidic, it will provide refreshing drinking over the next several years."
~ Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, August 31, 2002