Rutherford
2018 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Approachable yet cellar-worthy, this debut vintage Rutherford Cabernet leads with a luscious cherry-floral perfume, with soft espresso and spice undertones. The palate is generous and loaded with velvety tannins, red cherry and berry flavors, along with hints of cocoa and raspberry preserves, along with the dusty-earth accents that are hallmarks of the Rutherford Bench.
Rutherford
2018 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Rutherford
2018 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Approachable yet cellar-worthy, this debut vintage Rutherford Cabernet leads with a luscious cherry-floral perfume, with soft espresso and spice undertones. The palate is generous and loaded with velvety tannins, red cherry and berry flavors, along with hints of cocoa and raspberry preserves, along with the dusty-earth accents that are hallmarks of the Rutherford Bench.
$1600
$1360Member price
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The Details
Varietal
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging
17 months, 48% new French Oak
Skin Contact
16 days, average
Harvest Dates
October 25, October 26, October 30 and November 1
Release Date
January 2020
Winemaker
Brooke Bobyak Price
Near-perfect weather in 2018 led to extended hang time and optimal harvest.
Near-perfect weather conditions and timing, from budbreak to harvest, made 2018 a Goldilocks vintage. The season started in February with a mild spring, resulting in extended flowering and balanced clusters. Consistent summer temperatures allowed for leisurely, extended hang time, ensuring each cluster achieved perfect phenolic maturity. With no need to rush, we harvested the fruit at just-right ripeness over two weeks. This ideal scenario allowed us to pick each block at its optimal point, enhancing the vintage's quality.
Belle Epoque Society
Revel in a new kind of Far Niente wine club with Bella Union’s Belle Epoque Society, featuring a members-only lounge that celebrates the ambiance of France’s beautiful era in the heart of Napa Valley’s Rutherford district.
Capturing the elegance of Napa Valley’s historic Rutherford.
Rutherford, blessed with deep, gravelly soils and a mountain face that shades its western reaches from the setting sun, enjoys copious amounts of sunshine, which shapes the bright fruit, silky texture and smooth tannins in Rutherford wines.
Harvested from Bella Union Estate Vineyard
Fanning out around Bella Union Estate Winery, this vineyard is broken into almost a dozen blocks. Each block follows climate-smart farming practices that minimize water use, protect from overexposure to extreme temperatures and promote vine health and fruit integrity while maximizing grapevine health and flavor. The Bella Union Estate Vineyard is a western benchland site with gravelly loam soils that neighbors a protected wetland preserve. Cabernets grown here reward the palate with juicy, red fruit flavors, a polished, silky texture and a compelling cacao powder finish often referred to as “Rutherford Dust.”
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