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Sullivan Rutherford Estate 2017 Coeur de Vigne

June 24th, 2021 By Michael Cervin
# Wine Recommendations, Wine Producers, Growers, & Labels, Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa’s Rutherford district was recognized by Gustav Niebaum, who planted roots in the region in the 1870s hoping to produce wines to rival Bordeaux. Most cabernet sauvignon has become predictable. What we look for then is the unpredictable, the interesting and unusual. The 2017 Coeur de Vigne (meaning “heart of the vine”) stands out among Napa cabernet, reflecting the characteristics that make the valley floor of Rutherford famous - namely the combination of alluvial fan soils, warm days, and cool nights. This is a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, and 3% malbec, and if you know Rutherford wines, this has that unmistakable dust to it. It is a velvety tactile wine that offers black cherry, boysenberry, blue berry and black berry, with moderate tannins and back notes of sage, anise and wild grasses. Aged with just under half new French oak barrels, this truly represents Rutherford.

1,941 cases
ORIGIN: Rutherford, Napa Valley
ALCOHOL: 14.8%
PRICE: $90 / 750 ml
SCORE: 92 POINTS

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