Sullivan Vineyards Coeur de Vigne Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [WS 94, #75 Top 100 of 2024] [WE 94] [JS 92] [TWI 92] [JD 90]

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About the Winery:
Founded in 1972, during the apex of the boutique winery movement, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines were first planted on the 26-acre estate in 1978, per the encouragement of legendary winemaker, André Tchelistcheff.

Under new family ownership in 2018, the team is deeply investing in its vineyard programs and plans are underway to build a state-of-the-art winery and hospitality facilities. Led by entrepreneur Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla, who has gradually gathered one of the top teams of wine professionals in the country to lead the Estate, recognizes great potential for crafting exquisite wines and one of the top visitor experiences.

Winemaker Jeff Cole earned a degree in Wine and Viticulture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Prior to joining Sullivan, he worked with Schramsberg and J. Davies Vineyards, where from 2006 through 2013 he played an indispensable role both in J. Davies’ red wine program and Schramsberg’s méthode champenoise sparkling wine production. In 2019 Cole was named Top Up & Coming Winemaker by Robb Report:
“If making a $500 bottle of wine is a kind of benchmark, Jeff Cole has just reached it...The estate’s top-tier reserve wine, James O’Neil, usually sells for about $250 per bottle, but even that Cab drinks like a more expensive example and is one of the best being made in the Rutherford AVA right now.” -Janice O’Leary

About this Wine:
Half a century ago, the late Jim Sullivan got his hands on some of the best winegrowing land in California. Now, surrounded by Rutherford icons like Quintessa, Alpha Omega, and a four-digit auction-favorite we can’t name, Sullivan Vineyards shows why Robert Parker long ago dubbed their wines some of Napa’s “richest and most massively constituted.” 

WINEMAKER: Jeff Cole

VARIETALS: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

BARREL AGING: 20 months in 100% new French oak

ALCOHOL: 

Rating & Reviews

94 Points, #75 Top 100 of 2024 - Wine Spectator:
"Ripe and structured but fresh in feel, with a lovely, pure beam of cassis driving through, supported by mouthwatering apple wood, savory and iron details along the way. This red offers cut and drive, with the fruit lingering the longest thanks to a light hand with the toast. Very Rutherford. Drink now through 2038. 2,600 cases made." —JM

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Cassis and blueberries, dark chocolate and spiced cocoa are carried on a framework of durable tannins into a persistent finish. This wine will do well with decanting to help open up its flavors, or can be held in cellar for several more years. Drink 2028–2038." - Elaine Chukan Brown (July 2024)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Ripe blackberries and blueberries with notes of chocolate, vanilla and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied, polished and smooth, with fine tannins and a lingering finish. Drink or hold." (May 2024)

92 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2021 Coeur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot in the blend and aged in 60% new French oak, is deep garnet-purple in color. It swans out of the glass with showy scents of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, and Morello cherries followed by hints of violets, menthol, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate delivers beautifully ripe, plush tannins and compelling tension to frame the bright yet generous fruit, finishing long with great purity. 2,600 cases were made." – LPB (Nov 2023)

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur De Vigne is outstanding and has a ripe, blue-fruited style as well as classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes of violets, chocolate, and graphite. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, has a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish." (December 2023)