Coeur de Vigne Sullivan Rutherford Estate 2017.
Currently, we’re drinking on a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon mix from the Rutherford sub-AVA of Napa Valley. Our sampling sample of this wine presented us with the chance to have a great glass of wine while also learning a little bit about the history of the place.
My experiences with wine are unpredictable. I rarely know where they will lead me. An online statement on the Coeur de Vigne vineyard website tipped me off to a new route in my investigation of the winery.
“The history of Sullivan Rutherford Estates begins in 1821, when control of the Napa Valley shifted from Spain to Mexico,” according to the estate’s own words.
In addition, the vineyard property is located on the historic border of two enormous land grants, Rancho Caymus to the south and Rancho Carne Humana to the north, according to the vineyard’s web page. My thoughts were drawn to the Native Americans who were living in the Napa Valley when Spanish and Mexican invaders came and forced them to leave their homes and lands.
Although the rich area has been inhabited by different tribes for more than 10,000 years, the Suscol Intertribal Council, a non-profit organization situated in Napa, claims that there are no longer any tribes attached to the land.
On their map, they add that the Onasatis Indigenous People of Northern California comprised the Mishewal, Mutistul, Mayakmah, Patwin, Sonoma Pomo, Coast Miwok, Catahoula Band, and Lake County Pomo tribes, among others.
Because of their valiant resistance to Spanish occupation, the indigenous inhabitants of Sonoma and Napa Valley earned the nickname Wappo, which is an Americanized form of the Spanish guapo.
The Council goes on to say that the tribes were known as the Onasatis, which means “the ones who speak openly” or “the ‘Outspoken People’.”
Many of the names in the Napa Valley have a Native American ring to them. Several Wappo villages have contributed to the name of the Mayacamas Mountains, including Maiya’kma and Kaimus. Suskol, now written Suscol, was a Patwin hamlet that contributed to the name of the Mayacamas Mountains.
The land was bought by Virgile Galleron in 1916 for agricultural purposes. The Galleron family sold them 26 acres of land some 60 years later, and James Sullivan bought it to achieve his ambition of producing wines for a living, after starting out as a hobbyist winemaker. Earlier this year, VITE USA Inc., a private investment entity, bought the winery and vineyard. In his role as winemaker, Jeff Cole has been with Sullivan since 2013.
Along with Coeur de Vigne, the winery’s specialty wines include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but you’ll also discover Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, and Rosé.
Photograph of Sullivan Coeur de Vigne taken in 2017 by Sullivan Rutherford Estate Coeur de Vigne, Rutherford, Napa Valley.
2017 Napa Valley’s Sullivan Rutherford Estate Coeur de Vigne is located in Rutherford’s Coeur de Vigne neighborhood. a medium red in color, with dark fruit, tobacco leaf, and earth scents Ripe blackberries, earth, cedar and leather flavors blend with juicy acidity and strong, drying tannins to create a full-bodied wine with a rich texture and complex flavors. Aftertaste: Moderately lengthy and hot towards the end. Alcohol by volume (ABV): 14.8% 90 dollars (suggested retail price).
The Sullivan Estate Vineyard provides the majority of the grapes for this blend, which is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Malbec. It was discovered that 47 percent of the French oak used for the aging process was brand new.
This is a well-crafted Cabernet blend that would pair well with a grilled ribeye steak at this time of year. It has a great deal of flavor without being too extracted, and it should be wonderful for many years to come.
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