This combination is clearly evident in the glass. The 2019 vintage features a solid structure rather than an exaggerated character. It harmoniously blends dark fruit, firm tannins, and sufficient acidity to prevent it from feeling heavy. Across the valley, the 2019 Cabernets were widely praised for its classic style; while it can be enjoyed early, it also possesses the structure necessary for long-term aging.
Not every Napa vintage manages to achieve both of these qualities. But this vintage did.
James Suckling (95)
A very attractive red now, with complexity and yummy drinkability. It’s medium-bodied with medium, round tannins that are fresh and more-ish. It’s dusty and lightly earthy with dark currants as well as tobacco. So much going on, in a subtle and refreshing way. 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot, and 5% malbec. Drink or hold.
Jancis Robinson (17.5)
2019 was a long, cool growing season with 'modest yields'. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec. Fruit from selected parcels on BV's historic vineyard blocks (Ranches No 1, No 2 and No 10), in western Rutherford Bench. Seven days' cold soak. eight- to 12-day fermentation with cap pumpovers. 21 months in French oak barrels, 80% new. TA 6.3 g/l, pH 3.72.
Rusty-nail aroma and a dusty, rusty fragrance fills the glass and glitters through the fruit like hematite. Beautiful fruit, cherry dark, glimmering with hedgerow-raspberry highlights, speckled with black pepper and wrapped in long, long silk ribbons of tannins. It's muscular and the backbone of structure is powerful, welded iron but somehow fluid – not a molecule of astringency, although the dustiness seems to give the wine a cocoa-powder texture. Towards the end, freshness starts to build, drawing into a long floral, inky finish. Despite its grandiose Napa character, you could fly on the cold-mountain energy of this wine. Tamlyn Currin
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Coming mostly from estate fruit, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve is another plush, rounded, undeniably delicious release. Ripe blue fruits, spicy oak, and hints of chocolate define the nose, and it' s medium to full-bodied, with a layered, round, incredibly satisfying mouthfeel. I like it now, but it should evolve gracefully for 10-15 years as well.
