Cœur de Vigne Is Sullivan’s Truest Expression of Rutherford
Not a single-vineyard statement, but a mosaic that captures depth, restraint and age-worthy Napa Cabernet.
At Sullivan Rutherford Estate, Cœur de Vigne isn’t a single-vineyard flex. It’s something more interesting: a distillation of everything in which the estate believes.
Winemaker Jeff Cole describes it as a snapshot of the property in a given vintage. A wine that captures both the voice of the vineyards and the sum of decisions made from vine to cellar.
“The result is a single, cohesive, age-worthy expression defined by depth, structure, and energy,” Cole said. “It’s our signature style. One that bridges Old World restraint with New World power.”
That balance is on full display in the Sullivan Cœur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($100). Aromas of blueberry and plum lead the way, followed by shaved dark chocolate, cedar and dried flowers. On the palate, mineral notes anchor the wine as polished tannins frame flavors of dark plum, elderberry and bittersweet chocolate. A thread of dried herbs and loamy earth pulls it back from excess, keeping everything honest.
This is Napa Cabernet that knows when to raise its voice; and when not to.
There’s immediate pleasure here, unmistakably New World, but it’s delivered with a reserved hand. Fresh acidity and savory, almost feral herbal notes nod toward the Old World, giving the wine tension and lift rather than sheer gloss.
