Sullivan Vineyards - Coeur de Vigne 2021

James Suckling

Ripe blackberries and blueberries with notes of chocolate, vanilla and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied, polished and smooth, with fine tannins and a lingering finish. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur De Vigne is outstanding and has a ripe, blue-fruited style as well as classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes of violets, chocolate, and graphite. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, has a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Sullivan's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne does include some purchased fruit, but it represents a solid value in Napa Valley Cabernet. Black cherries are joined on the nose by hints of licorice and earth, while the full-bodied palate is plush and supple, ending dusty and savory, with undertones of black olive.

This oft-overlooked winery—probably because it doesn't have a Highway 29 access, it's off Galleron Road—is undergoing some reinvestment on the part of owner and tech entrepreneur Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla. Ground-breaking for a new production facility was scheduled for later this spring, after my February visit. Under the leadership of General Manager Joshua Lowell and Winemaker Jeff Cole, Sullivan has been making steady progress. We even had a chance to look at some 2022 barrel samples.

Said Cole,

The Wine Independent

Wine Enthusiast

Cassis and blueberries, dark chocolate and spiced cocoa are carried on a framework of durable tannins into a persistent finish. This wine will do well with decanting to help open up its flavors, or can be held in cellar for several more years. Drink 2028–2038.