At the center of Napa Valley, the Rutherford AVA is situated between St. Helena to the north and Oakville to the south. Half of its 7,000 acres are covered with grapevines. Cabernet Sauvignon is the big winner here with more than 70 percent of the total plantation, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Around 300 acres are planted with white varieties including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Elevations range from 172 feet at the valley floor to over 500 feet in the Vaca Range and Mayacamas Mountains. The oldest winery in the region is Inglenook, which was lovingly restored by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. It was founded in 1879 and is the oldest continuously bonded winery in the AVA. The second oldest winery is Beaulieu Vineyard which was founded in 1900.
We tasted hundreds of Rutherford AVA wines and many of them exhibited the famous “Rutherford Dust” first mentioned by legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff who said, “It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” While numerous people think he was talking about the terroir and climate of Rutherford, many critics feel he was talking about the powdery tannins exhibited in many of these wines. For us, Rutherford Dust is a combination of both. Here are seven excellent wines we have enjoyed reviewing for you this week.
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J Moss 2016 Mee Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California
Originally from Dallas, James Moss learned about fine wine while working for a wine distributor and augmented his knowledge through multiple visits to Napa Valley. In 1998 he moved to California and followed his passion to become a winemaker. His 2016 Mee Lane Cab is drinking beautifully right now after seven years. It is concentrated violet in color and first hits the nose with whiffs of lifted eucalyptus and menthol. A deeper dive reveals heady fruit scents of red cherry, red plum, black raspberry, pomegranate, and dark chocolate. It has flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, black cherry, and clove set into a sturdy tannic structure with lingering flavors of pomegranate pith and dried sage in the persistent finish. California born but with European elegance and restraint. Drink now through 2028.
Buy Now: $89
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Rutherford Hill 2021 Heaven’s Peak Cabernet Rutherford Napa Valley California
Only 16 barrels of this delightful wine were made in 2021. The grapes come from vineyards at the highest point of the Rutherford Hill property and winemaker Michael Coode chooses only the best fruit from carefully selected parcels. The wine’s composition is 94 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Malbec, and 2 percent Petit Verdot. It is ruby crimson colored and has a nose of cigar box, powdered cocoa, and ripe black fruits. The tannins are supple and rounded with flavors of dark cherry, black licorice, and roasted hazelnut.
Buy Now: $125
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Peju Winery 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California
Peju Winery remains family owned with the founders’ two daughters, Ariana and Lisa, running the day-to-day operations. The winemaking team farms naturally and sustainably and the Rutherford vineyard is certified organic. After fermentation, winemaker Sara Fowler ages the wine in both French and American oak for 28 months. It is garnet colored with aromas of cassis, blackberry, and pencil lead that open to flavors of espresso bean, dark chocolate, black plum, and crushed violet petals with a silky tannic finish.
Buy Now: $190
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Frog’s Leap 2020 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California
Frog’s Leap was founded by John and Julie Williams in 1994, and luckily, they were able to renovate the existing barn and produce wine the same year. By 1995 they had their hospitality team set up and began welcoming wine-loving guests, and to this day they offer one of Rutherford’s nicest visitor experiences. Their 2020 estate grown Cab certified organic and has aromas of black plum, cassis, and pencil lead. The tannins are fine grained and there are flavors of red raspberry, dried Mediterranean herbs, and blackberry before the long, long finish.
Buy Now: $75
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Fiftyrow 2021 Alice Block Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California
This 100 percent Cab comes from grapes grown in Alice Block in the Rutherford AVA. It is aged in 100 percent French oak barrels (60 percent new) for 20 months. Winemaker Paul Johnson has created a big and bold yet elegant wine. It is garnet to inky purple colored with aromas of blue fruits, black raspberry, pencil lead, and cinnamon. There are velvety tannins and flavors of dried cherry, crushed violet leaves, and black cherry. Drink now through 2031.
Buy Now: $95
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Beaulieu Vineyard 2020 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley California
Lovers of Rutherford Cabs know they like “Rutherford dust,” the fine powdered tannins combined with terroir and site specificity made famous by BV founding winemaker André Tchelistcheff. This delightful wine is aged for 21 months in French oak, 80 percent new and is composed of 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 percent Petit Verdot. It has aromas of violet, black raspberry, and freshly picked cherry and flavors of blueberry, mocha, and graphite all wrapped in a powdery tannic sheath.
Buy Now: $80
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Addendum 2018 Skellenger Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California
The Addendum block is quite small, just about an acre and a half; its position on Skellenger Lane in Rutherford gives this wine its name. The vineyard was planted just about three decades ago and has a high amount of clay soils, which aid in storing water for the vines when rain is scarce. The wine is garnet colored with aromas of red raspberry, black currant, and a touch of smoked charcuterie. On the palate it is medium bodied with fine grained tannins and flavors of black raspberry, black plum, and red currant.
Buy Now: $135
