Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate 2002

Well everybody, I thought it would be good to keep it going strong for California wines for wine month here in California.  Yesterday was actually a pretty fun day at work wine wise.  I opened an Umbrian Sangiovese/Montepulciano blend, which was decent indeed-very youthful and fruity.  What made the night was the wine tastes that were traded my way amongst customers.  First to go in the Italian theme was a great Tuscan red-Isole e Olena Cepparello 2002.  A Sangiovese from a producer located in the heart of Chianti.  A wonderful example of good fruit from a moderate vintage.  Tart red cherry and warm crumbly earthy components with green olives and leather. 
And now we move on to California, and we revisit the 2002 vintage.  This has been whacky, a lot of 02 Cab lately, and way different styles and such.  Tasted side by side was the:
Hewitt Rutherford Estate
Silver Oak Alexander Valley
Both are about 100% Cabernet, one from Napa, Hewitt, and one from Sonoma, Silver Oak.  Both wines were given 86 points upon release by Wine Spectator.  Both wines in my opinion are showing better than 86 points right now, but I am featuring the Hewitt because I found it to be the better of the two.  The Silver Oak was showing well, very recognizable on the nose with the smoky American Oak and ripe fruit flavors.  Bottom line was I thought the Hewitt will continue to mature nicely for a few years whereas the Silver Oak is at its peak now, which is what Wine Spectator had predicted for both these wines.

Hewitt Rutherford Reserve 2002

Daybright Garnet clear with a Modertae plus concentration.  The color stays firm and only begins to fade towards the rim, with the meniscus beginning to form.  Some sediment is being thrown with this wine, as it was not decanted, and the tears had a high viscosity with some firm staining to the tears. 
This wine was very clean on the nose with a high intensity of aromas.  The purity of the dark fruits were profound: Currants and black plums great spices and tobacco elements.  The oak is well integrated indeed, toasty but creamy at the same time.
The palate is long and intense here.  The few years in the bottle has softened the firmness of the tannins trememduously, and the acid is moderate.  The fruit continues to stay dark, and the warmth of the vintage year turns the fruit a bit fleshy/chewy.  There are many layers of flavor and everything is in balance.  The wine is drinking well and is available on the wineries website as a library selection for $120 a bottle.  I agree more with Rober Parker's rating of 92 points, but I don't know if I could do $120 a bottle here.

Grilled Meat Grilled Meat Grilled Meat.  Is there and echo?
Salute!