Our Rating
Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2021 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s Rutherford district continues a legacy stretching back to the mid-20th century. Built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon with a small portion of Petit Verdot, the wine combines site expression with a confident, cellar-worthy structure. Released under a label long associated with Napa Valley heritage, this vintage adds another chapter to its evolution, marked by clarity of fruit, structured tannins, and precision oak management.
This wine has drawn consistent praise across the board. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 98+ points, citing its depth and potential. James Suckling matched that with a 98-point score, while Wine Spectator placed it as the #2 Wine of the Year in 2024 with 95 points out of nearly 10,500 wines reviewed. We echoed the sentiment, also rating it 98 points for its structure, aromatic intensity, and balanced integration of fruit and oak.
Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), established in 1900, is one of Napa Valley’s longest-standing producers. Known for its role in shaping California’s fine wine scene throughout the 20th century, BV helped define what premium Napa Cabernet could become. The Georges de Latour Private Reserve label, first produced in 1936, was among the region’s earliest designated bottlings of its kind and remains a reference point for Rutherford Cabernet.
Today, the estate continues to draw fruit from its historic holdings in Rutherford, particularly vineyards with alluvial fan soils that contribute to the region’s recognizable tannin texture, often described as “Rutherford dust.”
Trevor Durling served as Chief Winemaker at BV until 2024 and played a central role in elevating the modern quality of this bottling. A Sonoma County native and UC Davis-trained enologist, Durling joined BV in 2017 as only the fifth winemaker in its history. His tenure was marked by investment in cellar technology and renewed focus on terroir-driven winemaking.
Durling’s approach emphasized clean fruit expression supported by restrained oak and structural clarity, attributes evident in the 2021 vintage. Following his departure in 2024 to Darioush Winery, BV appointed Nate Weis from Silver Oak to lead winemaking going forward.
Look
The wine presents a deep garnet core with high viscosity. Clarity is excellent, and its saturated hue suggests density and extract.
Smell
Pronounced aromatics lead with black cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Secondary tones of graphite, bell pepper, mint, and licorice lend detail and dimension. Oak-derived notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, and subtle black pepper round out the aromatic profile.
Taste
The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, featuring layered dark fruit, especially blackberry and black cherry, framed by high, well-structured tannins. Cedar, mocha, and cigar box emerge mid-palate, while graphite and licorice add a mineral undertone. The finish is long and persistent, with drying yet polished tannins and subtle oak spice. Acidity sits at medium-minus, keeping the wine plush rather than taut. Alcohol is elevated but well-integrated.
The 2021 Georges de Latour Private Reserve shows the hallmarks of a strong Rutherford vintage: ripe fruit, defined tannins, and age-worthy structure. While already approachable with decanting, it offers significant cellaring potential through 2041. This vintage holds its place among Napa Valley’s more serious bottlings, delivering concentration without excess and offering a focused expression of site and craft.
USA
Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
14.7
Trevor Durling
30 minutes to 1 Hour
Now to 2041
Beaulieu Vineyard
All things wine, and food you could ever need or want — straight to your email!
