Deep ruby color; blackberry, bing cherry, blackcurrant, spice box on the nose; ripe red and black fruits, blackberry, chocolate, oak spice on the palate.
Dry; medium-full body; pleasant, savory, cocoa-powder tannin (a Rutherford signature), especially after decanting. Good balancing acidity (3.73 pH). Bright, delicious, elegant, vivid fruit. Blend of 93% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc, 2% malbec, 1% petit verdot. Aged 22 months in French (94%), American (4%), and Hungarian (2%) oak barrels, 27% of them new—the oak influence is subtle and solid, contributing a pleasuring sweetness without becoming an obnoxious presence.
The winery focuses on provenance—origin or source of the vineyards (thus the name, “provenance is French for “origin” or “source”). The website notes: “We reveal their terroir—soils, microclimates and exposures—as aromas, flavors and textures. Each Single Vineyard bottling expresses the character of a small planting of vines, while the Regional Exclusive wines demonstrate the unique appellations of Napa Valley, each recognized for distinctive terroir.” This effort focuses on Rutherford, one of the world’s premier wine regions.
Provenance sold its first vintage in 1999. The emphasis was elegance, power, richness, deep and intense flavors. This effort completely maintains that original vision. The core philosophy is to allow the vineyard to express itself by intervening as little as possible. When you are working with world-class soil, just don’t screw it up. Starting with this vintage, Provenance vineyards are 100% certified sustainable / Napa Green.
Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2015 is the entry-level Provenance cab pour. Their higher end efforts soar into the $350-plus stratosphere. That said, this definitely is not a lower-shelf supermarket wine. The fruit-forward elements come into harmony with decanting. Bright, delicious, elegant, powerful, rich. It showcases black fruits with earthy highlights and chewy structure. Pair with braised short ribs, grilled steak, slow-cooked brisket, meat balls and spaghetti, roast duck, venison and other game meat, barbecue lamb ribs, beef tenderloin. $38-55
