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Rutherford Wine Co.

A pair of California labels over-deliver on classic wines. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

The Wines

Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Quality key:  * = decent wine   ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine   ****= elite

Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley '15  **1/2 $$

(Classic Napa cab flavors at a very good price.)

Rutherford Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley '17  **1/2 $

(Very approachable SB, with rich broad flavors, delicious.)

Scott Family Estate Pinot Noir "Dijon Clones", Arroyo Seco '15 *** $$

(Unbelievable value at this price, checks all the boxes.)

Scott Family Estate Chardonnay "Dijon Clones" Arroyo SEco '15 *** $$

(Pure California chard at its best, restrained yet deep and flavorful.)

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.
As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.