More about the 2012 RUDIUS "FION BAINISE" PROPRIETARY RED: What do you get when you combine one of Napa's most talented winemakers, whose day job is crafting the high-scoring TOR wines, with ancient Mourvedre from Bedrock, Syrah from Hudson and nearly century old Grenache vines from Sceales Vineyard? The net result is a wine so outrageously good, that at thirty bucks it's not even fair... Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Jeff Ames, who mentored under Thomas River Brown at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost and TOR before becoming head winemaker at TOR in 2005. At TOR he's made crafting high-90's rated wines look easy, and with his own label Rudius, he's applied that same skill-set to creating value wines with unrestrained character and profound hedonism. Words can't express how brilliant this wine is showing right now, but maybe actions can? We bought every single bottle available just after we tasted it. How do you take a wine like this and make it even better? You allow it to blossom for 5 years in the bottle... The Fion Bainise blend is build around a core of 57% ancient vine Grenache and enhanced with 130 year old Mourvedre vines from Morgan Twain Peterson's Iconic Bedrock Vineyard. It's then amplified with 7% Syrah from Hudson Vineyard. A wine this great, likely won't last the day... Winery Notes: "Jeff always allows this wine to take on a life of its own, letting the brilliance of the vintage guide his blend, and in 2012 the Grenache is the shining star. Head-trained, 84 year- old Grenache gives the wine a deep ruby color and commands your attention from the first whiff with spicy aromas, sweetened by lush raspberry and subtle lavender undertones. On the palate, the Grenache dominates the entry with bright acidity and tannins that demand a little time in the cellar (or at least 30 minutes to breath once you pop the cork). The minerality of the 126 year-old Mourvédre wows you in the end, filling out the finish with flavors of silky ripe elderberry..." Blend: 57% Grenache, Sceales Vineyard, Alexander Valley — 36% Bedrock Vineyard Mourvédre, Sonoma Valley — 7% Hudson Vineyard Syrah, Carneros