- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
TASTING NOTES
The 2021 Rutherford Hill AJT Cabernet Sauvignon is a profoundly expressive wine, drawn from the revered soils of Rutherford and crafted in homage to the legendary Anthony J. Terlato. In every aspect—from vineyard sourcing to cellar aging—this bottling captures the gravitas of classic Napa Valley Cabernet while elevating it with the signature finesse that has long defined Rutherford Hill since its founding in 1972. This wine is not merely a tribute; it is a masterclass in balance, structure, and aromatic complexity, speaking eloquently to the heritage of both the region and its founding visionary.
From the first swirl, the aromatic profile is assertive and compelling. Dark chocolate shavings, roasted oak, and cracked cedar unfold slowly, joined by a rustic warmth of chestnut and a quiet whisper of clove. The nose alone evokes the experience of walking through a barrel chai in midwinter, where spice and wood mingle in the still air. A faint red-fruited lift—raspberry compote kissed by a late-autumn breeze—adds complexity and brightness, promising a palate of both power and polish.
On the tongue, the wine delivers precisely what it suggests: a deep, richly woven tapestry of blackberry liqueur, blackcurrant, and earthy undertones. The inclusion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot introduces floral tension and mid-palate depth, threading violet and graphite through the darker fruit core. French oak—20 months’ worth—has been deftly applied, layering in roasted espresso, sandalwood, and a brushstroke of baking spice, without ever overwhelming the integrity of the fruit. The structure is textbook Rutherford: fine-grained tannins, silken but firm, leading into a long, satisfying finish that simmers with black pepper, cocoa powder, and sweet tobacco.
Fermented on skins for 21 to 28 days with bi-daily pumpovers, this AJT Cabernet Sauvignon was coaxed into life through traditional hands-on methods, allowing the wine to develop a stately architecture and age-worthy density. While alluring in its youth, there is no question this will cellar beautifully for a decade or more, revealing further dimension with time.
This is a quintessential Rutherford Cabernet—layered, powerful, and elegant—crafted with reverence to the terroir and the man who helped shape Napa’s legacy. A wine of purpose and pedigree, the 2021 AJT belongs in any serious collection and on any table where excellence is expected.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, & 2% Petite Verdot
Alcohol: 14.7%
From the first swirl, the aromatic profile is assertive and compelling. Dark chocolate shavings, roasted oak, and cracked cedar unfold slowly, joined by a rustic warmth of chestnut and a quiet whisper of clove. The nose alone evokes the experience of walking through a barrel chai in midwinter, where spice and wood mingle in the still air. A faint red-fruited lift—raspberry compote kissed by a late-autumn breeze—adds complexity and brightness, promising a palate of both power and polish.
On the tongue, the wine delivers precisely what it suggests: a deep, richly woven tapestry of blackberry liqueur, blackcurrant, and earthy undertones. The inclusion of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot introduces floral tension and mid-palate depth, threading violet and graphite through the darker fruit core. French oak—20 months’ worth—has been deftly applied, layering in roasted espresso, sandalwood, and a brushstroke of baking spice, without ever overwhelming the integrity of the fruit. The structure is textbook Rutherford: fine-grained tannins, silken but firm, leading into a long, satisfying finish that simmers with black pepper, cocoa powder, and sweet tobacco.
Fermented on skins for 21 to 28 days with bi-daily pumpovers, this AJT Cabernet Sauvignon was coaxed into life through traditional hands-on methods, allowing the wine to develop a stately architecture and age-worthy density. While alluring in its youth, there is no question this will cellar beautifully for a decade or more, revealing further dimension with time.
This is a quintessential Rutherford Cabernet—layered, powerful, and elegant—crafted with reverence to the terroir and the man who helped shape Napa’s legacy. A wine of purpose and pedigree, the 2021 AJT belongs in any serious collection and on any table where excellence is expected.
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, & 2% Petite Verdot
Alcohol: 14.7%
94 POINTS - "The texture is plush, with a creamy base of boysen- berry liqueur, black cherry, and sweet tobacco plus a dusting of cocoa. Statuesque and graceful, with notes of graphite, crushed berry, and cedar on the refined, savory finish." - Tasting Panel
90 POINTS - "Dark berries, currants, grilled herbs, earth and asphalt on the nose. Full body with firm tannins. Chewy and structured with a mellow texture at the center and a grippy finish. " - James Suckling
90 POINTS - "Dark berries, currants, grilled herbs, earth and asphalt on the nose. Full body with firm tannins. Chewy and structured with a mellow texture at the center and a grippy finish. " - James Suckling
Aromas of dark chocolate, roasted oak, cedar and chestnuts that make you excited for the first sip. A rich opulent blackberry with a subtle hint of raspberry that leads into the layers of roasted oak and cedar. That has a long smooth, velvety yet spicey finish..