Rudd Oakville Estate Red 2013
(Napa Valley, California) - [WA 95]

About the Winery:
In 1996, food and wine entrepreneur, Leslie Rudd, purchased a 55-acre estate in Oakville, California to pursue his 30-year dream of owning a winery. He expanded the winery caves to a capacity of 20,000 square feet and used the 78,000 tons of stone and bedrock removed during construction to build the stone walls surrounding the property. These recent improvements allow complete temperature and humidity control over different sections of the caves, which gives flexibility in treating each variety uniquely and aids in barrel fermentation when appropriate.

About the vintage:

The 2013 vintage is widely regarded as one of Oakville’s strongest in recent years. It was a severe drought year, with rainfall at roughly 80% below average. To conserve soil moisture, cover crops were turned under early. Despite the drought, the growing season was nearly ideal, with moderate high temperatures that preserved freshness during ripening.

Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with lifted floral tones, dry rosemary, and a classic Oakville aromatic profile. 

n the palate, the wine is energetic and expansive, offering dark fruit—blackberry, cassis, and plum—supported by a subtle cocoa‑like sweetness. The mid‑palate builds with air, gaining depth and intensity while maintaining freshness.

The finish is long, mineral‑driven, and slightly ashy, reflecting the volcanic and gravelly soils of the estate. Firm, polished tannins frame the wine without overwhelming it.

Overall, this is a structured, elegant, and age‑worthy Oakville red, showing both the power of the 2013 vintage and the refinement of the Rudd estate.

Blend: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot

Ratings & Reviews:

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"There are two reds wines from the estate, the proprietary red wine, which is a Bordeaux blend, and Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rudd Estate Proprietary Red starts off life relatively slowly, and that probably works against it, but the color of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 is an inky purple. The wines display notes of scorched earth, blackberry and cassis, with the 2013 and 2014 both showing more up-front forwardness and a more approachable style, but they are still dramatic, flamboyant and full-bodied. The epic 2013 is not ready for drinking for at least another 4-5 years, but the 2014 can be approached already. Both wines are full-bodied, classic Oakville corridor wines, but made with almost a Bordeaux inspiration, but without sacrificing the extraordinarily rich, concentrated fruit of Napa. The 2013 is a 35-year wine and the 2014 probably a 25- to 30- year wine. The 2013 is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. The 2014 has 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. 2016 - 2051." (Dec 2016)

94 Points - Vinous:
The 2013 Oakville Estate Red is deep, fleshy and voluptuous, with tremendous intensity and overall power. Dark cherry, raspberry jam, mocha and spice are fused together in a super-expressive red. Even though the 2013 is bold and quite powerful, the tannins are refined enough for the Estate Red to be approachable with minimal cellaring. The oak is a bit pronounced, but this is a strong step in the right direction in what is an ongoing transition at Rudd that is starting to show results. (Drink between 2019-2033)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
While showing noticeable maturity now, this has solid energy as it keeps a sleek feel to the mix of cassis, mulled plum, cedar, alder and tobacco notes. Reveals a long twang of iron that pierces through on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Blind 2013 California Cabernet retrospective (February 2023). Drink now through 2033. 833 cases made.