Wm. Harrison Vineyards & Winery (William Harrison)
Rutherford Red Blend
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA
Tasted alongside a 2008 Quintessa, this producer's immediate neighbor. In a nutshell, this wine came out swinging from the very first minute. Definitely a boxer ready for the fight. Dark and brooding, inky. Volcanic blackberry and tar nose. Had a roasted St. Helena character. Blackberry, black licorice, hint of ripe fig and pipe tobacco on the front and mid palate. Rutherford dust on the finish. Almost goes more to the red clay volcanic Howell Mountain profile at 11 years of age likely thanks to its unique soil composition at the estate. The style here between this one and the Quintessa were remarkably different yet the dust is still there on both. The Quintessa seemed much more youthful and even a little bit lighter, which definitely could be astringency, with age-ability probably a bit better yet this Harrison is going nowhere for the next 10 years itself. In my opinion, no clear victor between the two. Well done Wm. Harrison!
Tasted alongside a 2008 Quintessa, this producer's immediate neighbor. In a nutshell, this wine came out swinging from the very first minute. Definitely a boxer ready for the fight. Dark and brooding, inky. Volcanic blackberry and tar nose. Had a roasted St. Helena character. Blackberry, black licorice, hint of ripe fig and pipe tobacco on the front and mid palate. Rutherford dust on the finish. Almost goes more to the red clay volcanic Howell Mountain profile at 11 years of age likely thanks to its unique soil composition at the estate. The style here between this one and the Quintessa were remarkably different yet the dust is still there on both. The Quintessa seemed much more youthful and even a little bit lighter, which definitely could be astringency, with age-ability probably a bit better yet this Harrison is going nowhere for the next 10 years itself. In my opinion, no clear victor between the two. Well done Wm. Harrison!
Sep 21st, 2019This wine is in a perfect spot right now. After about an hour and a half of air, it was singing. Nose with hawthorne and a little red fruited. Entry was more dirty dusty blackberry. Middle shows the meaty, earthy, red clay side with a really dense and somewhat dark finish. Rutherford dust VERY present here. I just love how these wines age.
This wine is in a perfect spot right now. After about an hour and a half of air, it was singing. Nose with hawthorne and a little red fruited. Entry was more dirty dusty blackberry. Middle shows the meaty, earthy, red clay side with a really dense and somewhat dark finish. Rutherford dust VERY present here. I just love how these wines age.
May 18th, 2018