Rutherford 2020: The top Cabernets from this Napa AVA
The Rutherford AVA has a unique terroir that is known as the ‘Rutherford dust.’ Decanter's Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi highlights its standout Cabernets from the 2020 vintage.
QUICK LINK: Napa Cabernet 2020: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
It was longtime Beaulieu Vineyard winemaker André Tchelistcheff who described the ‘Rutherford dust’ quality of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on the benchlands and ancient riverbeds of the Rutherford region. Whether appearing as a dusty mineral note on the nose or as grainy-dusty-tannins on the palate, the bottlings of 2020 take on an almost heady dusty quality.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Rutherford 2020 Cabernet wines
Chris Morisoli of Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford acknowledged that ‘It was a hotter year, which threw us a lot of curveballs, but we got lucky with our pick-call, which was 26 September, a day before the Glass Fire’. The Brix levels were lower than the previous two vintages, with slightly higher total acidity numbers. Still, the dry winter and early-onset of heat meant that though the harvest was early in Rutherford, alcohol levels were mostly consistent, as were pH numbers with previous years.
Rutherford 2020: the top wines of the AVA
- Quintessa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2020
- Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour Private Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2020
Cristaldi’s value picks
94 points Black Stallion, Collector Edition, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2020
94 points Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2020
93 points Whitehall Lane, Millennium MM Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2020
Rutherford 2020 Cabernet: the top-scoring bottles
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Morisoli Vineyard, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
One of the more beautiful, fresh, and energetic 2020s of the vintage. Lifted red-toned fruits intermix with dusty minerals leading to a medium-bodied Cabernet rife...
2020
Morisoli VineyardNapa Valley
Arkenstone, Arkenstone Godward Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
<p>Sumptuous aromas of blueberries, violets, creme de cassis, and mocha. Plush, full-bodied with hedonistic dark fruits, ripe, fine-grained tannins, loamy earth, chocolate, and salty crushed...
2020
ArkenstoneNapa Valley
Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour Private Reserve, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
The flagship wine of Beaulieu Vineyard in 2020, the grapes for this cuvee were harvested nearly a full month earlier than the previous vintage, which...
2020
Beaulieu VineyardNapa Valley
Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford Reserve, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
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...
2020
Beaulieu VineyardNapa Valley
Black Stallion, Collector Edition, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
Only the third vintage Black Stallion has bottled from the Rutherford AVA, and it's a savoury, pleasure-packed gem of the vintage. Gorgeous capsicum and dusty...
2020
Black StallionNapa Valley
Frog's Leap, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
From the iconic Frog's Leap winery's dry-farmed estate in Rutherford, aged 20 months in 5-year-old oak barrels. Absolutely beautiful aromas of dried thyme, sage, fennel,...
2020
Frog's LeapNapa Valley
Sullivan Rutherford Estate, J.O. Sullivan Founder's Reserve, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
The 2020 J.O. Sullivan Founder's Reserve Cabernet from Rutherford combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% Petite Verdot, aged 22 months, in 100% new French Oak....
2020
Sullivan Rutherford EstateNapa Valley
Inglenook, Rubicon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
Alluring black cherry fruit intermixed with cassis and sandalwood. Full-bodied and juicy on the attack, showing its striking acid tension before unspooling layers of succulent...
2020
InglenookNapa Valley
Whitehall Lane, Millennium MM Vineyard, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
Winemaker Jason Moulton has aged this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Millennium MM Vineyard in Rutherford in 75% new French oak barrels for 26 months,...
2020
Whitehall LaneNapa Valley
Inglenook, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
A refined and pleasure-packed vintage of Inglenook was expertly shepherded to fruition during a challenging vintage by Philippe Bascaules and Chris Phelps. A bit tight...
2020
InglenookNapa Valley
The Vice, Batch #95, 'Bruce Wayne', Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2020
Intense black fruit notes, dusty herbs, toffee and toasty oak with chocolate. Medium to full-bodied with fine, powdery tannins, ripe blackberry, sagebrush, sandalwood and white...
2020
The ViceNapa Valley
