Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The 2016 Juicy Rebound Rutherford is Cabernet for Cabernet lovers. Pure, deep, classic, and balanced Cabernet fruit with the depth and complexity that keeps us coming back for more. Among Napa sub-appellations, Rutherford remains distinguished, clearly identified in even the most crowded tastings. This is due in large part to the deep color and tannin structure that surrounds Rutherford Cabernets. The tannin levels in this stretch of Napa Valley Floor can rival many mountain vineyards, explaining its long history of creating classic Napa Cabernets. Part of the answer lies in the soil, another element lies in the personalities that envisioned it; Georges de Latour and John Daniel Jr. of BV Vineyards, Gustave Niebaum of Inglenook, and André Tchelistcheff, the great enologist.

In his lifetime, it can be said that André Tchelistcheff led Rutherford and Napa Valley’s wine industry through a complete evolution: difficult times after Prohibition (1938-1965); rebirth and modernization (1965-1980); and its coming of age (the 1990s). Quoting Mr. Tchelistcheff, “It takes Rutherford dust to make great Cabernet.” Along with Oakville, André Tchelistcheff named these two areas Napa’s Grand Crus, an argument that carries the same weight today.

Our tasting notes:
Aromas of cassis, lead pencil and cedar. Distinctively combines a big-shouldered
rusticity with profound and classic flavors of cassis, dusty cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate. Well integrated, seamless texture and balance give structure to the bold fruit. It is a classic pairing with well-aged beef and flavorful dishes. Youthful and exuberant now, it shows great potential for a long, balanced evolution and graceful aging. 85 cases produced