Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Beaulieu Vineyard

Tasting Note Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Initially, aromas of blackcurrants and plums emerge, followed by notes of vanilla and hints of caramel derived from new French oak barrels. The color in the glass is deep purple. On the palate, it is rich and velvety smooth, with chalky, firm tannins flowing beneath the ripe fruit flavors, leading to a long finish. The 2020 Georges de Latour is excellent to drink now upon exposure to air, but the firmness of its tannins suggests ample room for further development.

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of this wine, and in Rutherford it ripens to the cassis density Bordeaux rarely reaches. Petit Verdot adds depth of color, spice, and a tannic structure.

2020 Blend:

• 93% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 7% Petit Verdot; though a small proportion, it plays a substantial role in shaping the structure

Cellaring Potential

This wine's structure suggests it has the potential for long-term aging of two decades. It is best enjoyed by 2040+. Since the chalky tannins need to be exposed to air, let the Georges de Latour 2020 sit in a decanter for about an hour. Serve at 16-18°C. 

About Beaulieu Vineyard

Rutherford, California, is where Beaulieu Vineyard began, on a 1,5 hectare farm that Fernande de Latour spotted around 1900 and called a beautiful place, which is how the estate got its name. Her husband Georges sold his business to buy it, aiming at wines that could stand next to those of his native France. He also imported pest-resistant vines and supplied European varieties to colleagues across the California wine industry. In 1938 he hired André Tchelistcheff, the Russian-born winemaker whose ideas on terroir and innovation still shape the house style. Tchelistcheff pushed for bottling the family's private 1936 wine, and the first Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon followed in 1941, named for the founder. Michel Rolland came in as blending consultant for the reserve wines in 2010. Trevor Durling is only the fifth chief winemaker here.

Terroir & Climate

Rutherford sits on the Napa Valley floor and tends to have higher temperatures than Oakville, which lies directly to the south. Since the fog rising from San Pablo Bay arrives later in this central region, the vines benefit from more hours of sunlight. The soil is loose, gravelly, and highly porous, allowing for rapid drainage. This is exactly what Cabernet Sauvignon needs, as wet soil causes the vines to channel their energy into leaf growth rather than fruit production. The western bench is the birthplace of Georges de Latour grapes.

Winemaking

Trevor Durling has guided Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon toward a more refined and approachable style, one that is closer to the Beaulieu Vineyard bottled wines of the 1960s and 1970s than to the typical heavy style of Napa. Fruit from Rutherford forms the core of the blend. Michel Rolland has provided consulting on the reserve wine blend since 2010. It is aged entirely in French oak barrels.

Food Pairing

The tannins in Cabernet need to harmonize with the wine's enveloping flavors. It pairs well with grilled Côte de boeuf, and a slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary is also an excellent choice. If you prefer a meatless dish:

• Grilled: Eggplant and bell pepper dishes. The charred flavors complement the spicy notes of the oak.
• Aged Cheddar or Parmesan: The savory flavors help balance the tannins.
• Mushroom: A ragù sauce made with plenty of butter