Sullivan Rutherford Estate, Couer de Vigne Red Blend, Napa Valley, California, 2016
Overview of the Wine
Situated in the heart of Napa Valley, Sullivan Rutherford Estate spans of 26 acres of vineyards and lush gardens. At the center are the family residence and winery which are open to visitors with an advance appointment. For nearly fifty years the Estate has been an oasis for artists, chefs, friends and wine lovers, and to this day remains a destination for discerning travelers.
The Estate was founded in 1972 by James ("Jim") O’Neil Sullivan, a visionary and pioneer of Rutherford, a premier Napa Valley appellation for Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim's passion for creating great wine predated the 1976 Judgement of Paris which famously recognized Napa Valley wines as among the best in the world.
Today, the Estate continues to build on its legacy of growing and crafting world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Under new ownership in 2018, the team is deeply investing in its vineyard programs and plans are underway to build a state of the art winery beginning in late 2020.
Grape / Blend
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petite Verdot
Origin
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, all of which spent 21 months in 60% new French oak. As with the Cabernet, it has an old school, textbook bouquet of green herbs, ripe tobacco, cedar, and new leather. It has a touch of green, but it’s varietal, not vegetal. More chocolate and black fruits emerge with time in the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a tight, backward vibe on the palate, and outstanding length.
Product size: 750ml