2016 Beau Vigne Old Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Beau Vigne in Napa Valley was founded in 2002 by Ed and Trish Snider. Their Stags Ridge Vineyard is in the Atlas Peak appellation and includes nine acres planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. Beau Vigne also sources grapes from nearby, select vineyards. Ed Snider descends from a family of Swiss and Italian winemakers who made wine in Napa Valley in the early 20th century. Beau Vigne is known for its Cabernet Sauvignons, but also produces Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Beau Vigne “one of my favorite unheralded producers in Napa Valley. The wines have off-the-charts richness, great balance, and the potential to be aged for 20 or more years. There is a striking purity and intensity to these wines that merits attention.”

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.