Hamilton Creek Rutherford Red 2023

Region: Napa Valley, CA

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot

There are plenty of stories about how times are tough in the wine business and no where is that more apparent than Napa Valley. According to Forbes the average price for a bottle of wine from Napa is now $108, well beyond the reach of most consumers. With consumers drinking less and preferring lower alcohol levels in the wines they do consume, many estates are really struggling. This is especially true in the direct-to-consumer market where wineries are shipping considerably less than the heyday shortly after the pandemic. Having survived four economic downturns over my career I am watching as the same dynamic is happening again, and it is good for you and us.

Remember that most wineries hold inventory for at least a year before it is released, either in tank, barrel, or bottle. This means that they have to project their needs for production at least one year in advance and most often two. The bottom has fallen out of the market so fast that many wineries in Napa are stuck with finished wine still in tank that was intended for their direct-to-consumer business. Now they are looking to sell it before the next harvest so they can free up tank space and recoup some cash. Enter the private label producers, who buy up this extra wine and bottle it for a lot less than the winery originally intended. Remember the old Orsen Wells Gallo commercial? “We will sell no wine before it’s time.” Well the new Napa adage is “the bank just called and said it’s time!”

The producer who bottled this wine signed a non-disclosure agreement so they cannot say who sold the wine, but anyone who is a fan of rich, lush red wine will immediately see the value in this one. We do know the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot and it was aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 18 months. The result is a densely packed wine with dark fruit notes kissed with vanilla and baking spices. Of course it also shows the classic “Rutherford dust” that kicks up on the finish. Good now this one will also age for up to five years. Sadly there is not much of it so get yours while you can!