97 Points, Number One Cellar Selection Wine of The Year!
Wine Enthusiast

95 Points: Wine Spectator

“This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is like a neutron star, with massive power packed into a concentrated mass. Just huge in black currants, black cherries and chocolate, almost as thick as molasses, yet dry and firm and minerally. Vast weight and authority. Will last 15-20 years.” -Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast

Exzellenz, the Austrian title for “ambassador,” alludes to Kathryn Hall’s past service as United States Ambassador to Austria. The grapes for this wine, entirely sourced from the exalted Sacrashe Vineyard, are gently ushered through our gravity-flow Rutherford Estate winery. Meticulously vinified to maximize vineyard expression, we employ such techniques as double sorting the grapes, cold-soaking before fermentation to extract gorgeous flavor and color, native yeast and malolactic fermentation, and barrel aging in the choicest French barrels. To orchestrate the blend, we study and taste every barrel, selecting only the pinnacle. The 2006 “Exzellenz” is the apotheosis of our winegrowing and winemaking intentions.

Deep violet in color, you can anticipate heightened aromas and flavors of black currant, black cherries, baking spices, violets, freshly turned earth and chalky minerality. The 2006 HALL “Exzellenz” boasts a voluptuous texture bolstered by expansive and sweet tannins. Expect this unaltered wine to gracefully develop for 15-20 years.

This wine has been allocated to our Collection club members. Call us to be added to be added to our allocation list.