Beaulieu Vineyard BV Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2017
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 92] [WE 91] [JD 90] [WA 90] [WS 90]

Rutherford is the heart of Napa Valley and home to Beaulieu Vineyard. For more than 20 years, our winemakers have crafted our Cabernet Sauvignon, which defines the unique expression of our Rutherford vineyards with rich dark berry and cocoa, accented by well-integrated oak spices for a long finish.

Notes from the Winemaker:
This 2017 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a tremendous expression of its AVA terroir exhibiting intense saturation of color, aromas and flavors. The bouquet shows a dark fruit profile with blackberry, black currant and cassis notes alongside oak barrel nuances of root spice and molasses. On the palate, there are darker fruit notes supported by hints of dark chocolate, mocha and coffee. The structured "Rutherford Dust" tannins are fine grained and very focused for this vintage, showcasing the signature fine cocoa powder texture and expansive mouthfeel. Incredible depth and balance, supported by velvety rich textured tannins, leading to a persistent lengthy finish, showing concentration and refinement.

Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, and 2% Petite Sirah

Oak Treatment: Aged 16 months in French, American and European oak, with more than (50% new)

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - James Suckling:
"A soft and velvety red with chocolate and currant character. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. Extremely polished and approachable. Shows the dusty character of the harvest. 88% cabernet sauvignon and 7% petit verdot with merlot and petite sirah. Drink or hold." (Oct 2019)

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Muted, thick and dense in berry, this is a rewarding wine made well and in a full-bodied style. High-toned flavors of currant, citrus and cassis are complemented in cedar, pencil shavings and a whiff of old-school pipe tobacco with a lasting taste of toasted oak." - VB (3/1/2020)

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"More spice, tobacco, and cedar notes emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, another medium-bodied, nicely textured, balanced wine in the lineup that has loads of Cabernet character. It's drinking beautifully today, and I suspect will be best enjoyed in its first decade of life. As Napa Cabernet goes, it's a smoking value. Drink 2020-2032." (February 2020)

90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 2% Petite Sirah, aged for 16 months in French and American oak, 50% new. The nose comes bounding out of the glass with upfront scents of baked plums, chocolate-covered cherries and creme de cassis with hints of bay leaves, tobacco leaf, vanilla pod and Chinese five spice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is well-crafted, featuring plush tannins and tons of freshness to support the ripe, spicy black fruit flavors, finishing with an herbal lift. Drink 2020-2030." - LPB (Oct 2020)

90 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Rather direct, with a beam of cassis and bitter plum fruit cruising through, showing some polish while singed vanilla and red licorice notes chime in." -JM (3/31/20)