Revelette Wines: Harvesting the Legendary Rutherford Dust
The Legendary Napa Valley Terroir
If you spend five minutes in a Napa Valley tasting room, you’ll likely hear the phrase "Rutherford Dust." It sounds like something out of a Western movie, but to winemakers and collectors, it is the "Holy Grail" of terroir.
What Is Rutherford Dust?
At Revelette, our 11-acre estate sits right in the heart of this legendary soil. But what exactly is "Dust," and why does it make our Cabernet Sauvignon so distinct?
Rutherford is located at the widest point of the Napa Valley. This geographic "sweet spot" provides two critical elements:
1. Maximum Sunlight: Because the valley is wide here, our vines soak up more radiant heat than almost any other sub-appellation. This leads to deep, lush, "phenolically ripe" fruit.
2. Alluvial Soil: Millions of years ago, runoff from the Mayacamas Mountains created "alluvial fans,” deep, well-draining beds of gravel, loam, and sand.
When vines have to struggle through this rocky soil, they produce smaller, more concentrated berries. The result? A wine with incredible structure and power.
The Aromatics of Rutherford Dust Cabernet Sauvignon
When you cork a bottle of Revelette Cabernet Sauvignon, don't just look for fruit. Pay attention to the finish. The "Rutherford Dust" manifests in two ways:
1. The Tannins: Instead of being "grippy" or harsh, the tannins feel powdery and fine-grained—like the sensation of cocoa powder on the tongue.
2. The Aromatics: Beyond the blackberries and cassis, you’ll find a hint of "dusty" minerality, dried herbs, and a touch of spice that grounds the wine’s richness.
Our vineyard manager, Chris Walden, treats these 11 acres with the reverence they deserve. By farming specifically for the Rutherford terroir, we ensure that every bottle of Revelette isn't just a Napa Cab, it’s a snapshot of the most famous dirt in the world.
