Sullivan Estate combines a prime Rutherford location with a dedicated team that constantly scrutinizes every detail of production for insights that can take the wine to the next level. Their vineyard is under the guidance of Mike Wolf, one of the leading viticulture experts in Napa Valley, whose past and present clients include Bond, Scarecrow, and Lewis. Their 2016 Estate Cabernet has “an old school, complex, textbook Cabernet character,” as described by Jeb Dunnuck. At $110, it’s outstanding, but at our price of $65, it’s one you’ll write home about. 

 

The vineyard is located on Galleron Road, just North of BV and behind Franciscan Estate. The vineyard architect planted it over an ancient riverbed with soil types ranging from clay loam to sandy gravel. Both have excellent drainage, which assists in producing intensely flavored berries.

 

This wine is from the epic 2016 vintage, which the Wine Spectator ranks as the highest-rated vintage for Napa Cabernet since 1997. If you’re looking for a classic Rutherford Cabernet, that’s awesome now and will cellar gracefully for another decade, this is the one. 

 

Retails at: $110