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Cristaldi: Understanding the signature ‘Rutherford Dust’ and how to spot it

While a firm definition of the fabled ‘Rutherford Dust’ might still be elusive, there’s no denying its imprint on Rutherford's wines, or the uniqueness of this historically significant sub-AVA in the heart of California's Napa Valley.

Russian-born enologist André Tchelistcheff – whose name still evokes a hushed reverence among California winemakers – famously once quipped that ‘it takes Rutherford Dust to grow great Cabernet Sauvignon.’

‘Rutherford Dust’ is a term that’s now so inextricably intertwined with Napa Valley’s Rutherford sub-appellation that in 1994 – several decades after Tchelistcheff’s remark – it inspired the name of the Rutherford Dust Society (a non-profit association of winegrowers and vintners dedicated to the promotion of the AVA).


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores of some top Rutherford wines



The wines of Rutherford: 10 top bottles


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