A powerful, muscular, and intensely flavourful Rutherford Reserve from Beaulieu Vineyard winemaker Trevor Durling. Enticing and robust aromas of violets, blackberry and cassis, scorched herbs, and toffee-scented cedarwood meld together on the round and plush palate, which is framed by elongated tannins and precise tannins that build on the palate and resolve through lifted and revitalising notes of espresso bean, incense, tangerine peel, and crushed cocoa nibs. Long, focused, generous, and delicious now and capable of long-term cellaring.

Bright and fruity with black currant, blackberry, boysenberry and black licorice notes, but not overdone. Full-bodied with tension from tannins that nicely frame the wine. Firm, bright and focused, even racy. Drinking so well now but will age beautifully. James Suckling Senior Editor

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve, which functions as the second wine to the Georges de Latour Private Reserve, is classic Rutherford with its black (and some blue) fruits supported by graphite, chocolate, and gravelly earth. It's medium to full-bodied, has fine tannins, terrific balance, and the vintage's focused, precise, yet concentrated style front and center. It's a second wine but still has 15 years or more of prime drinking. There are just over 5,000 cases produced.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve is another super-expressive wine in this range from BV. It offers up dark-toned fruit, mocha, dried herbs, gravel, incense and pipe tobacco. Medium in body and quite reserved, the 2021 needs a few years to unwind, but it certainly has a ton to offer. The 2021 is a big step up from the past, reflecting a move from an appellation-level wine to a more important bottling. The Reserve is made from vineyards on the western side of the appellation. It is essentially the second wine to the Georges de Latour - ANtonio Galloni

A vibrant version, with deliciously pure cassis and plum fruit pouring through, carried by a loamy note that runs underneath. Offers lively accents of cedar and apple wood along the edges, with a twang of iron emerging on the violet-accented finish. Best from 2025 through 2040.

A woodsy lift on a core of ripe black fruits gains detail with accents of graphite and espresso grounds. Savory, lightly sweet caramel and mixed spices bring additional depth. Powdery tannins and balanced acidity coat the palate, remaining approachable and age-worthy with a long finish. — Elaine Chukan Brown

92+ Priced between the Napa Valley and Georges de Latour Private Reserve bottlings, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve probably delivers the best bang for the buck in the BV lineup. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, it offers up scents of black cherries and plums accented by hints of menthol and toasty oak (the wine spent 22 months in 80% new French oak). It's medium to full-bodied and streamlined in profile, with silky but firm tannins and a long finish.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a little broody and closed to start, unfurling to deliver notes of cassis, baked plums, and kirsch, giving way to hints of eucalyptus, crushed rocks, and tar. The full-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and bright acidity supporting the muscular fruit, finishing with a minty lift.