1981 Pine Ridge Rutherford Cuvee

[winoweenie]

Found this poor lil' orphan whilst pulling some stuff for lunch today. Without any pre-judged notions except the pessismism of an old wine from a mediocre vintage, and a 1998 tasting note that said the wine was still alive and very balanced, It went to the lunch-crowd at my locaal pushers. On opening it was obvious this wine was not dead as there was almost no browning at the rim of the brite ruby juice. At first the minimul nose waas atypicaal for a wine 23 years -old. However, there was loads of fruit on thew palate, a concentration of minty, spicy, herbal notes that accentuated the deep flavor profile. Unlike most older wines that lose vigor, taste, and aromatics as they set in the glass, this hummer started singing an aria from Faust after an hour. Every-one was amazed that this sucker not only was still alive, but doing sit-ups, running a marathon, and kicking sand in our faces. Lots of fun. WW

[Innkeeper]

There is nothing better, absolutely nothing better than a well aged cab from either side of the ocean. Glad you enjoyed it. Boy! have I got some pictures!

[bigredwines]

This Bottle of wine is one of my top 5 that I have ever tasted.deep red, a hint of old vines with touch of earth. It had that distinct pinch of pine that I always seem to taste when I have pine ridge and really nice fruit.I would rated this a not much nose with a thin finish. A very good botle of wine.BUT THE MOST EXTRA ORDINARY THING HAPPENED. After 1 hour this juice completely change. the nose was huge and exploding with fruit and the taste was VERY BIG AND VERY BALANCED It explodeded in your mouth and the taste seem to linger FOREVER. I have been enjoying wine for about 3 years and have never had a bottle that had change in it's taste so distinctly.I know that being stored perfectly in ww's cellar for 20 years had to have a lot to do with the joy I experienced with this 81.THIS BOTTLE WAS A 10 WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINISH. AND THE COST...PRICELESS

[bigredwines]

THANK GOD FOR ORPHANS AND THANK GOD FOR W.W.!

[winoweenie]

I was as suprised as you BR. Like it shook the sleep out of its' eyes and decided to do a line dance. WW