On the north end of Napa Valley in St. Helena, California sits a wine estate that until recently, has been unassuming for fifty years. Sullivan Rutherford Estate was the dream turned into reality of James O'Neil Sullivan, a visionary who became passionate about wine in the 1950's when and his wife received a grape arbor as a wedding present. Home winemaking eventually led to a move to Rutherford where Sullivan would plant roots - literally.
The 2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne wine consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (6%). We initially did not decant this wine and allowed only "air time" in the glass. A unanimous decision to decant for about thirty-five minutes made the difference with this one. Homemade strawberry jam color solid to the rim. This "heart of vine" Cabernet offers plum, graphite, wet gravel road, and toasted baguette on the nose. The decanting brought the firm tannins alive and presented flavors of raspberry puree, violet, hints of oak, and bits of cocoa. Give this one some time to open up and it will reward you for the next 15 years or so. In four or five years this could be teetering on perfection in a bottle! If you're someone who enjoys a dry aged steak with your wine, this marriage would be impeccable.
Sullivan Rutherford Estate is now in the hands of managing partner, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla and we anticipate that this label will continue to produce incredible and cellar-worthy wines.
ABV: 14.8%
Napa Valley AVA
Winery: Sullivan Rutherford Estate
Cases Produced: 2,600
Suggested retail price: $80.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93+/100
