Beaulieu Vineyard has been synonymous with premium Cabernet Sauvignon production for the best part of a century. The Rutherford Bench vineyard was established in 1900 by George de Latour, a Frenchman who bought over Cabernet cuttings from Bordeaux and propagated them in his nursery. The estate’s reputation was established by its cult winemaker André Tchelistcheff – André pioneered the use of small oak barrels for ageing and the estate was one of the very first to bottle its wines at the winery.
Today winemaker Joel Aiken upholds the high standards of his predecessors, with the wines now showing more finesse and subtlety than ever. Joel now produces extremely fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays as well as world-class Cabernet Sauvignons.
96 Points Robert Parker
A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour was aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 88% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up compelling kirsch, sautéed herbs, crème de cassis and baked plums notes with touches of tobacco, fallen leaves and dried mint. Full-bodied (14.9% alcohol) and solidly structured with firm, chewy tannins in the mouth, the palate is packed with muscular fruit lifted by herbal accents, finishing long and savory.