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  • A bottle of Etude Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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2021 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford750ml 14.4%

Etude was founded with the promise that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest. Superior winegrowing lessens the need for winemaking intervention, leading to authentic varietal an...

Etude was founded with the promise that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest. Superior winegrowing lessens the need for winemaking intervention, leading to authentic varietal and vineyard expression, with compelling flavor and irresistible complexity.

$155.00
$155.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2021
  • Region: Napa Valley
  • Appelation: Rutherford
  • ABV: 14.4%
  • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
  • pH: 3.73

Tasting Notes

Inky ruby-garnet in color, this expansive wine unveils a
complex bouquet of aromas, with layers of chocolate, rich leather, kirsch, and cassis, accented by hints of dried herbs. These signature characteristics speak to the exceptional terroir of the Morisoli Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench, highlighting its signature depth and elegance. The palate is structured with fine-grained tannins and a distinct mouthfeel, speaking to the hallmark "Rutherford Dust." Subtle oak influences impart graham cracker spice, while the rich flavors of ripe plum, along with vibrant blue and black fruits, add layers of depth and complexity. Enjoy the development of this wine for years to come.

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Expert reviews

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“Plush aromas blackcurrants, blood plums, spices, lavender and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with soft tannins and integrated acidity, giving aromas of mocha, tobacco leaves, dark cherries and cedar. Refined and pure, with a powerful undertone. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, January 2025

Winemaker Jon Priest walking between rows of grapevines in a vineyard.

The Vineyard

Morisoli Vineyard

Fruit from the Morisoli Vineyard in the heart of the Rutherford Bench has been the sole source for this expression of Etude Cabernet since 2009.
Currently under the watchful eye of fourth generation grower Gary Morisoli, this pioneering vineyard with gravelly Bale clay loam soil and classic Rutherford dust produces some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in Napa Valley. Retained heat from the ground helps to concentrate the intense crushed berry character that defines Rutherford Cabernet as having an “iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Process

The 2021 vintage

  • The 2021 season was joyous and welcomed after the challenges of previous vintages, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit, some of the best in recent years. A tremendous year to taste the nuances and terroir distinction from around the valley.
  • Stylized pixel art of a flower

    Spring

    Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with budbreak early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May.

  • Stylized pixel art of the sun

    Summer

    The summer saw early and even ripening throughout the valley, with veraison appearing in early July.Low yields (in part due to drought conditions), created fruit that is intensely flavored and smaller in berry size.

    One of the earliest starts, harvest began with white wine grapes coming in towards late July, while red wine grapes arrived about a month later, at the end of August.

  • Stylized pixel art of a leaf

    Harvest

    With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, tremendous balance, and structure, that are equally lush and fruity.

Winemaker Jon Priest holding up harvested grapes near stainless steel fermentation tanks.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

The grapes were cold soaked for 3-5 days and fermented on their skins in open top fermenters. An extended maceration period followed fermentation, to help modify the depth and mouthfeel of the wine, and to fully extract color, flavor, and aromatics. The young wine was then racked into small French oak barrels – using a selection of coopers and forests to accentuate the vineyard distinctions – where it aged for 20 months in 100% French oak (75% new). Each lot was kept separate until final blending.