Description

BV Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

95 pts – James Suckling

“A very attractive red now, with complexity and yummy drinkability. It’s medium-bodied with medium, round tannins that are fresh and more-ish. It’s dusty and lightly earthy with dark currants as well as tobacco. So much going on, in a subtle and refreshing way. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot, and 5% malbec. Drink or hold.”  – James Suckling April 2022

94 pts – Wine Enthusiast #50 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2022

“Deep blackfruit flavors, moderate tannins and a sense of good density make this wine from one of Napa’s oldest producers impressive. Cloves, cedar, blackberries and a touch of anise combine for good complexity on the palate. Best from 2026–2032. Cellar Selection.” – Jim Gordon

Vineyard

The 2019 vintage is made up of hand-selected parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec from BV Ranches No. 1, No. 2 and No. 10. These historic vineyard blocks are a truly elevated representation of Rutherford terroir. Located on the western Rutherford Bench, alluvial fan soils from the Mayacamas Mountains are composed of diverse soil types, including gravel, sand and loam. Here, the vines root deeply, developing complexity, minerality, and Rutherford’s signature character.

Vintage

The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years due to February rains. Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.

Winemaking

Hand-picked grapes were destemmed and cold soaked for seven days for gentle flavor extraction. This allowed an elegant, layered fruit expression to develop while also delicately releasing the natural cocoa-powder tannin expression known as Rutherford Dust. During the eight- to twelve-day fermentation, we pumped over the cap to incorporate the flavor-rich skins into the juice. To balance the bold fruit expression with toasty oak character, we chose more than 80% new French oak for barrel aging and added a splash of Malbec and Petit Verdot to enhance the complex flavor profile.

Beaulieu Vineyard Winemaker Trevor Durling presides as only the fifth winemaker in the winery’s 119-year history. A native Californian, Trevor was raised in Sonoma County, the heart of Northern California’s wine country. With a love of agriculture, science and cuisine, Trevor pursued his studies at the University of California Davis in the Viticulture and Enology program. As winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, Trevor incorporates his passion for creating fine wines, while preserving the heritage and legacy of Beaulieu Vineyard.

Tasting Notes

The 2019 vintage marks the second release of this Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a true epitome of the finest expression of our western Rutherford benchland terroir. A perfumed bouquet of wild dark berries, crushed earth, and toasty oak spice is present on the nose, while the palate is full of classic Cabernet character. Blackberry, cassis, and black forest cake interweave seamlessly alongside wild rose, while subtle baking spice notes from the well-integrated oak shows nuances of cedar, cinnamon, clove, and caramel. The mouthfeel is saturated and supple with a generous complexity and power. The focused “Rutherford dust” tannins are polished, broad, and round, exhibiting the signature cocoa powder texture and expansive character upon which Rutherford is known. Balanced with depth and concentration, the texture is plush and smooth, leading to a long, persistent finish. A showstopper Cabernet representing the very best from the distinguished Rutherford AVA.