I was lucky enough to taste this gem at the New York Wine Experience last fall. Today’s less than stellar weather brought it to mind. I would love to tuck in with a big juicy steak and a bottle of this wine this evening but alas alack, I don’t see it in the cards so I can at least remind myself about what a beautiful wine it was. I’m not a big California Cab drinker but this one was lovely and reminded me to be opened minded and taste what’s in the glass not go in with preconceived notions.

I once took a seminar on “Rutherford dust.” Tasting this wine, I finally understood what all the hype was about. Here is an interesting piece about just what Rutherford dust is exactly. The Macdonnell Family runs this 468 acre farm and winery. The second generation of the family is now at the helm. They bought the property in 1983 and today own 12% of all Cabernet Sauvvignon grown in Rutherford. They sell a lot of their fruit to other wineries in fact. Their first bottling was in 2002. Jaime “JJ” Dowell is the winemaker together with Thomas Rivers Brown, the consultant winemaker.

The wine itself was opulent, rich and luxurious with olive and sage notes, garrigue, spice and pepper along with black fruits. Firm but juicy tannins, this is a wine that can age but can also be drunk now. Not expensive at $110, it is a wonderful example of the magical pixie dust that can be found in Rutherford.