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Beaulieu Vineyard
2020 Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
This, the third release of Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, is an exemplary expression of our western Rutherford benchland terroir. It’s big and inky with a dark, alluringly saturated, amethyst-purple color. Perfumed aromas of red bramble berry, wild violet, and rose petal sit alongside fruit-forward flavors of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and plum. The pleasing texture provides youthful tannins with a firm grip, a signature of the Rutherford dust, finishing dry with hints of espresso, tar, and graphite. A nice, long line of acidity supports the dark fruit core, providing suppleness and richness. Woodsier, perfumed notes of vanilla, caramel, and toast show nuances of the well-integrated oak. Marvelous balance, generosity, and power lead to a lengthy and persistent finish. A truly stunning wine that demonstrates the world-renowned quality of Cabernet Sauvignon from our heralded Rutherford AVA vineyards.Technical Information
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | Rutherford |
| Blend | 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot |
| Oak Treatment | 21 months in 100% French oak (80% new) |
| Alcohol % | 14.8% |
| pH | 3.64 |
Scores & Accolades
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94"The Rutherford Reserve leads with black fruits, toffee and oak spices. Full-bodied with ripe sweet blackberry and black cherry notes, building tannins that are a bit granular. The wine has plenty of grip and is built on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 80% new French oak. It is nicely balanced with a pH of 3.64 and is one not easy to put down." - Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter.com, September 11, 2023
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95“Energizing tannins and vivid fruit acidity power the massive black fruits and intricate oak spices in this muscular but polished wine. Plump blackberries, baked blueberries, black currants and cedar all add to the compelling flavors. Built to improve and gain complexity with age, this wine should drink best from 2027–2037.” — Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 1st, 2023
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 delicately releasing the natural cocoa-powder tannins. During the eight- to 12-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 Petit Verdot to enhance the complex flavor profile.Vintage
It was a warm, dry winter and the rain and cooler weather didn’t arrive until the end of March. While the mild spring provided a great early start, summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days. The harvest was smaller, and one of the most challenging in history, but our always- optimistic team was able to create wines of high quality, with concentrated flavors and excellent acidity, from this unprecedented vintage.Vineyard
The 2020 vintage is made up of hand-selected parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot 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.