2016 Revana Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Revana Family Vineyard is in St. Helena, in Napa Valley. The estate was founded in 1997 by Madaiah Revana, a physician with a love of California Cabernet Sauvignon. The 9-acre vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Heidi Barrett was the winemaker in charge of the debut 2001 vintage and Thomas Rivers Brown is winemaker now. Revana makes only one wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and it has already won accolades from wine writers and collectors. In 2010 Wine Spectator named Revana to the #4 spot in its list of 100 Top Wines of 2010.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.

Made by Heidi Barrett.