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  • A bottle of Etude Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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2020 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford750ml 14.6%

A striking dark garnet color, this Rutherford Cabernet showcases its pedigree via aromas of sweetcherry liqueur, blue fruit of huckleberry, heady aromas of cut lavender and ripe berries and well...

A striking dark garnet color, this Rutherford Cabernet showcases its pedigree via aromas of sweetcherry liqueur, blue fruit of huckleberry, heady aromas of cut lavender and ripe berries and well-integrated barrel toast and baking spices. Velvety-rich cocoa-powder tannins, a signature of the“Rutherford Dust” profile, also come through with black cherry and plum. The finish is persistentwith a polished, finely grained texture. This wine may be enjoyed now and for the next 15 years.

$155.00
$155.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2020
  • Region: Napa Valley
  • Appelation: Rutherford
  • ABV: 14.6%
  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

A striking dark garnet color, this Rutherford Cabernet showcases its pedigree via aromas of sweetcherry liqueur, blue fruit of huckleberry, heady aromas of cut lavender and ripe berries and well-integrated barrel toast and baking spices. Velvety-rich cocoa-powder tannins, a signature of the“Rutherford Dust” profile, also come through with black cherry and plum. The finish is persistentwith a polished, finely grained texture. This wine may be enjoyed now and for the next 15 years.

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Winemaker Jon Priest walking between rows of grapevines in a vineyard.

The Vineyard

Morisoli Vineyard

Fruit from the Morisoli Vineyard in the heart of the Rutherford Bench has been the sole source forthis expression of Etude Cabernet since 2009. Currently under the watchful eye of fourthgeneration grower Gary Morisoli, this pioneering vineyard with gravelly Bale clay loam soil andclassic Rutherford dust produces some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon grapes inNapa Valley. Retained heat from the ground helps to concentrate the intense crushed berrycharacter that defines Rutherford Cabernet as having an “iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Process

The 2020 vintage

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    Winter

    The 2020 season is considered another successful vintage, despite being remembered for factors beyond the typical harvest season. It was a warm, dry winter and the rain and cooler weather didn’t arrive until the end of March.

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    Spring

    While the mild spring season was a great early start, our winery working conditions had extensive safety protocols due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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    Summer

    Summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days, but then harvest was interrupted by wildfires across California, which came as grapes started to be picked, and we were very fortunate that none of our vineyards were in the areas of the active fires.

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    Harvest

    The red wine harvest started in late August, with the wines showing excellent development in cellars, reflecting the fine vintage year.
Winemaker Jon Priest holding up harvested grapes near stainless steel fermentation tanks.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

The grapes were cold soaked for 3-5 days and fermented on their skins in open top fermenters. Anextended maceration period followed fermentation, to help modify the depth and mouthfeel of thewine, and to fully extract color, flavor, and aromatics. The young wine was then racked into smallFrench oak barrels – using a selection of coopers and forests to accentuate the vineyarddistinctions – where it aged for 20 months in 100% French Oak (75% new). Each lot was keptseparate until final blending.