Bell Cellars Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Rutherford Cabernet shows a delicate, earthy, bouquet of lavender, dried leaves and rum raisin. It displays a nice balance of the savory side of Cabernet from western Rutherford and the structured, dark-fruited eastern bench in the same AVA. Seamless tannins, red fruits, sage, graphite, and hint of toasty French oak lead to a long and focused finish; the earth and oak notes develop delightfully for over a minute. A rare treat, this Cabernet does not need a food pairing because of its delicacy and completeness, but it would do well with roasted duck, lamb chops, or with a savory charcuterie plate.