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Sullivan 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Rutherford, Napa Valley 14.8% $110
I was intrigued to taste this wine when I read on the back label, "Hand-crafting fine wines since 1972." I'd never heard of Sullivan. However, it certainly doesn't lack pedigree: this 26- acre Rutherford estate was planted by James O'Neil Sullivan at the urging of Napa legend-by-way-of-Moscow André Tchelistcheff.

This wine was made under the watch of Jeff Cole under its former ownership. Since Sullivan was purchased in 2018 by Juan Pablo Torres Padilla, exciting changes are underway, including new viticulturalists and a new winery. Stay tuned!

In some ways, the wine behaves like classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. For example, it smells and tastes of black currants tinged with eucalyptus. Its tannins are also ripe and seamlessly smooth. They help to balance this full-bodied wine along with the medium, well-integrated acidity. What's decidedly different about this wine is - that despite its 14.8% alcohol, it tastes impressively balanced. It also escapes the heavy - even goopy - glycerol common in valley floor wines. Furthermore, the winemaker has not applied an excessively amount of expensive new oak to the wine. It's a young wine, but it's drinking very nicely today. I heartily recommend it for those wanting to serve a fruit-driven, ready-to-enjoy Napa Cab on their holiday table.
Drink: 2019-22