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NEWS FOR WEBSITE May 2024

7 Stellar Cabernet Sauvignons From Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA

As a legendary winemaker once said, "It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet."

Published on May 2, 2024

By MIKE DESIMONE AND JEFF JENSSEN 

At the center of Napa Valley, the Rutherford AVA is situated between St. Helena to the north and Oakville to the south. Half of its 7,000 acres are covered with grapevines. Cabernet Sauvignon is the big winner here with more than 70 percent of the total plantation, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Around 300 acres are planted with white varieties including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Elevations range from 172 feet at the valley floor to over 500 feet in the Vaca Range and Mayacamas Mountains. The oldest winery in the region is Inglenook, which was lovingly restored by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. It was founded in 1879 and is the oldest continuously bonded winery in the AVA. The second oldest winery is Beaulieu Vineyard which was founded in 1900.

We tasted hundreds of Rutherford AVA wines and many of them exhibited the famous “Rutherford Dust” first mentioned by legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff who said, “It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” While numerous people think he was talking about the terroir and climate of Rutherford, many critics feel he was talking about the powdery tannins exhibited in many of these wines. For us, Rutherford Dust is a combination of both. Here are seven excellent wines we have enjoyed reviewing for you this week.

J Moss 2016 Mee Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley California

Originally from Dallas, James Moss learned about fine wine while working for a wine distributor and augmented his knowledge through multiple visits to Napa Valley. In 1998 he moved to California and followed his passion to become a winemaker. His 2016 Mee Lane Cab is drinking beautifully right now after seven years. It is concentrated violet in color and first hits the nose with whiffs of lifted eucalyptus and menthol. A deeper dive reveals heady fruit scents of red cherry, red plum, black raspberry, pomegranate, and dark chocolate. It has flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, black cherry, and clove set into a sturdy tannic structure with lingering flavors of pomegranate pith and dried sage in the persistent finish. California born but with European elegance and restraint. Drink now through 2028.

FULL ARTICLE LINK:

https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/gallery/best-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon-2024-rutherford-ava-1235601612/#utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=social_bar&utm_content=top&utm_id=1235601612 - 7 Stellar Cabernet Sauvignons From Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA

 

 

NAPA VALLEY ARTICLE – February 2024

https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/wine/james-moss-black-winemakers-napa/article_db94d466-d4d5-11ee-a2b0-33da772f99ac.html

James Moss reflects on the history, challenges of Black winemakers in the Napa Valley napavalleyregister.com

 

 

https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/wine/photos-james-moss-owner-and-winemaker-of-napas-j-moss-wines/collection_5ed4aa98-d4d8-11ee-ab57-87235409047b.html#13

PHOTOS: James Moss owner and winemaker of Napa's J.Moss wines James Moss provides a tasting to eighteen guests from around the country traveling with Adventure in Black Travel and Entertainment company. napavalleyregister.com

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE 2024 WINE COMPETITION AWARDS

Wine	Appellation/ Designation	Vineyard	Award
2019 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley		Gold
2019 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Coombsville	Steffensen Vineyard	Gold
2019 J. Moss Red Blend	Napa Valley		Silver
2018 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley		Silver
2018 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Coombsville	Steffensen Vineyard	Double Gold
2018 J. Moss Red Blend	Napa Valley		Silver
2017 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Coombsville	Steffensen Vineyard	Double Gold
2017 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Howell Mountain	Eagle Summit Vineyard	Gold
2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley	Proprietors Reserve	Gold
2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Coombsville	Steffensen Vineyard	Silver
2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Rutherford	Mee Lane Vineyard	Gold
2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley		Best of Class
2015 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Coombsville	Steffensen Vineyard	Silver
2015 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon	Rutherford	Mee Lane Vineyard	Silver

 

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard 2019 Score:  93 Points

19 Sep, 2023 – Attractive nose of dark cherries, blueberries, blackberries and hints of cassis jelly. Full body with chewy tannins. Fruity and firm at the same time with plenty of succulent berries on the palate and a compact, focused finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 Score: 91 Points

19 Sep, 2023 – Dark berries, earth, grilled herbs and warm spices on the nose follow through to a full body with firm tannins. Rich and vivid with an intense development of dried herbs, sweet berries and spices on the palate. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Napa Valley Red Blend 2019 Score: 90 Points

21 Sep, 2023 – A rich and creamy blend with a medium body and round tannins. Plush and full of berries, chocolate and oak spices. Velvety and generous with a dense, chocolaty finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 Score: 91 Points

8 Mar, 2023 – Aromas of blackcurrants and cherries with hints of walnut, cloves and licorice. Full-bodied with tight, chalky tannins and a plush, blue-fruited, juicy mid-palate. Attractive and vibrant with a fruity finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Napa Valley Red Blend 2018 Score: 90 Points

7 Mar, 2023 – Notes of ripe blackberries and cassis with black licorice, cherry chocolate and dried herbs. Full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and velvety texture. Quite ripe and luscious with a rich, dark-fruited finish. Drink now.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard 2018 Score: 93 Points

8 Mar, 2023 – Notes of black and purple fruit with hints of cocoa, pine wood, lilac and dried blood orange. Full-bodied with firm, grainy tannins and an array of blueberries and blackcurrants with bright acidity. Impressive tension and length. Velvety finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard 2017 Score: 93 Points

13 Sep, 2022 – Ripe blackberries and currants on the nose, together with dried tree bark, spiced chocolate and dark olives. Full-bodied and nicely chewy on the palate, with bumper dark-berry fruit and a long finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss California Steffensen Vineyard 2017 Score: 93 Points

13 Sep, 2022 – Ripe blackberries and currants on the nose, together with dried tree bark, spiced chocolate and dark olives. Full-bodied and nicely chewy on the palate, with bumper dark-berry fruit and a long finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss California Eagle Summit Vineyard 2017 Score: 92 Points

13 Sep, 2022 – Some cocoa-bean savoriness to the plush blackberries, mint and cigar box on the nose. Rich and concentrated on the palate, showing chewy tannins and sweet blackberries. A touch of dark-chocolate bitterness at the end. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Eagle Summit Vineyard 2017 Score: 92 Points

13 Sep, 2022 – Some cocoa-bean savoriness to the plush blackberries, mint and cigar box on the nose. Rich and concentrated on the palate, showing chewy tannins and sweet blackberries. A touch of dark-chocolate bitterness at the end. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard 2016 Score: 92 Points

31 Dec, 2020 – A nice combination of chocolate and berry aromas and flavors with some walnut. Medium body, firm tannins and a medium chewy finish. Hint of jam at the end. Give it a few years to soften. Try after 2022.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Mee Lane Vineyard 2016 Score: 92 Points

31 Dec, 2020 – A typical 2016 with plenty of ripe fruit, yet it’s firm and well-framed with attractively ripe tannins that are formed and firm. It’s medium-to full-bodied. Delicious finish. Drink or hold.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Eagle Summit Vineyard 2016 Score: 92 Points

31 Dec, 2020 – Lots of ripe fruit with dried berry, chocolate and some walnut. It’s chewy and flavorful. Needs a couple of years to soften. Better after 2022.

 

1. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Mee Lane Vineyard 2015 Score: 90 Points

15 Oct, 2018 – A big and rich red with full body, soft and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very generous and a little overdone this year.

 

 

 

 

2019 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard     Score:  91 Points

2019 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley                                 Score:  90 Points

2019 J. Moss Napa Valley Red Blend                                                    Score:  90 Points

2018 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley                                 Score:  87 Points

2018 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard     Score:  88+ Points

2017 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard     Score:  91 Points

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard   Score: 90-92 Points

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Mee Lane Vineyard       Score: 91-93 Points

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Eagle Summit Vineyard  Score: 91-93 Points

 

 

2018 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard               Score:  92 Points

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Eagle Summit Vineyard  Score: 90-92

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Steffensen Vineyard   Score: 86-88 Points

2016 J. Moss Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Mee Lane Vineyard       Score: 87-89 Points

 

 

WINE SPECTATOR

Editors’ most Exciting New Wines – May 2021

Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Mee Lane 2016  -  92 points 

This is solidly built, with a core of dark currant and fig preserves rolling through, lined with black licorice and carried by loam and singed cedar accents on the finish. A bit obvious in style, but should certainly have fans. Best from 2022 through 2032. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. —J.M.