Sullivan Vineyards
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford AVA
Auction 18 | Lot No. 99
Vintage: 2012
Sullivan Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
10 cases produced
Highlights
- Small lot, 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, beautifully structured, elegant and powerful
- Showing its youthful prime, this wine delivers a masculine texture with a lingering earthy pleasure
- Aromas of blueberries, cassis and plum combine with dark chocolate and classic Rutherford Dust
- Flavors of blueberry, blackberries and tobacco abound with integrated notes of oak maturation
Wine Facts
- pH: 3.61000
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Scott McLeod
Winemaker, Sullivan Vineyards
Scott McLeod was the winemaker for Rubicon Estate for 18 years, was named Wine Enthusiast “winemaker of the year” in 2009, and has now ventured out on his own. From his time working in Italy’s Chianti region, Scott McLeod developed a singular obsession: to make wine in the way of a classic European winery—an estate vineyard based exclusively on terroir. “The land is what we sell, what we manage, what we farm, what we walk every day…You are your land.” Beginning with the 2012 vintage, Scott brings his passion for winemaking, talent and expertise to Sullivan Vineyards as our consulting winemaker.
Country born: United States
Education:
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Ross Sullivan
Winemaker, Sullivan Vineyards
Following the Sullivan family legacy of chasing their passions was easy to live up to. From as early as he can remember, he has been surrounded by his lifelong passions: farming, wine and family. Ross’s childhood memories are a mosaic of breathtaking properties and shaking hands with the farmers and winemakers that would shape the culture of the Napa Valley. As a young adult, Ross solidified his foundation in grape growing and wine production by planting and building alongside his father and family.
While his family, upbringing and surroundings established Ross’s love of winemaking, his second passion helped to focus it. Between helping others build wineries, even digging a few wine caves, he also built a career in Aviation. His path as a professional pilot - including stints as an active flight instructor, an active duty Army Aviator helicopter pilot, a commercial airline pilot and a corporate pilot - ultimately led to a position with ETS Laboratories, one of the world’s leading analytical wine laboratory. While with ETS, Ross gained experience developing business in growing wine regions throughout the United States, building wine laboratories and reviewing wine quality issues throughout the wine industry. Perhaps more importantly, ETS gave him access to, and fostered an understanding of, the latest wine science. Today, Ross combines this knowledge with his history of practical production and his father’s intense artistry.
"The wine industry is special on countless levels. Over time it challenges individuals to their very essence. Winemaking is intensely personal….yet centers on a culture of cooperation and shared success.”
Country born: United States
Education:
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Meritage Wine Market
162 South Rancho Santa Fe Road Suite A-10
Encinitas CA 92024
760-479-2500
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Meritage Wine Market:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morlet Family Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Le Fabuleux Franc | 23 (2019) |
| Accendo Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Winemaker’s Barrel | 22 (2018) |
| Spoto Family Wines | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Cession | 22 (2018) |
| Accendo Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Arrow&Branch | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Beckstoffer Dr. Crane & Oakville Ranch | 20 (2016) |
| Barbour | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Man Cave Blend | 20 (2016) |
| Chateau Boswell Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Coup De Foudre Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Lightning Bolt | 20 (2016) |
| Freedom Estate Wine | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Hiatus Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | THE FOUNDATION | 20 (2016) |
| Kale Wines | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Broken Axle | 20 (2016) |
| Krupp Brothers | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Doctor & the Bandit | 20 (2016) |
| S. R. Tonella Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Tuck Beckstoffer Wines | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Clone 6, Ermitage Troncais | 19 (2015) |
| Davis Estates | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Phase V | 19 (2015) |
| Krupp Brothers | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Doctor's Orders | 19 (2015) |
| Memento Mori | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | RTL | 19 (2015) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Renteria Wines | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Beller Bench Blend | 19 (2015) |
| VinRoc Wine Caves | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Coyote's Howl | 19 (2015) |
| Arkenstone Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | Howell Mountain | Block 7 Upper Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Astrale e Terra | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Block 6/7 | 18 (2014) |
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Clone 6, St. Martin Grande Reserve | 18 (2014) |
| Bennett Lane | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Croze | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 18 (2014) | |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Upper Block | 18 (2014) |
| Spoto Wines | 2012 | Malbec | Oakville | 18 (2014) | |
| Sullivan Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 18 (2014) | |
| Terra Valentine | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Crown Jewel | 18 (2014) |
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | THE MONEY BARREL | 18 (2014) |
| V12 Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Twelve | 18 (2014) |
| ADAMVS | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Borne | 17 (2013) |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2011 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| Arkenstone Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Block 1 Lower | 17 (2013) |
| Bennett Lane | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 17 (2013) | |
| Blackbird Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| Caspar Estate | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 (2013) | |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Wild Layla | 17 (2013) |
| Coho | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Combination of the Two | 17 (2013) |
| Mario Bazán Cellars | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| Porter Family Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Coombsville | Duet | 17 (2013) |
| Arietta | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Against the Grain | 16 (2012) |
| Barbour Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Man Cave Blend III | 16 (2012) |
| Oakville East Exposure | 2010 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | The Sun and The Moon | 16 (2012) |
| Oberon Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Elevations | 16 (2012) |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2009 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | Elivette's Sister | 16 (2012) |
| TOR Kenward Family Wines | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 2010 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon | 16 (2012) |
| Twomey Cellars | 2010 | Merlot | Napa Valley | SoCaRaNa | 16 (2012) |
| Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | JAMN Black & Blue Blend | 15 (2011) |
| Continuum Estate | 2009 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 15 (2011) | |
| Gargiulo Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | OVX vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| HALL | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Sacrashe Vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| Kenefick Ranch Winery | 2008 | Red Wine | Calistoga | Pickett Road Red | 15 (2011) |
| Longfellow Wine Company | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Vineyard Select | 15 (2011) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Hayne Vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| Terra Valentine | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Spring Mountain District | 15 (2011) | |
| Ahnfeldt Wines | 2008 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo IV | 14 (2010) |
| Bennett Lane | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Calistoga Appellation Lot | 14 (2010) |
| Elyse Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 (2010) | |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 (Heart Block) | 14 (2010) |
| Hestan Vineyards | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Stephanie Selection | 14 (2010) |
| Husic Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 14 (2010) | |
| Mi Sueño Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Selección Herrera | 14 (2010) |
| Ahnfeldt Wines | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quid Pro Quo III | 13 (2009) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | First Born | 13 (2009) |
| Etude | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill Ranch | 13 (2009) |
| Page Wine Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Your Personal Stash | 13 (2009) |
| Palmaz Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Ultimate High | 13 (2009) |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard | 13 (2009) |
| Versant Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Viader Vineyards and Winery | 2007 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| ZD Wines | Non-vintage | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Petit Abacus | 13 (2009) |
| Krupp Brothers | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Mi Sueño Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Carpignano Vineyard | 11 (2007) |
| Fantesca Estate and Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 10 (2006) | |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 10 (2006) | |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon 50% Syrah 50% | Yountville | Temptress | 10 (2006) |
| ZD Wines | 2005 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Haire Vineyard 667 | 10 (2006) |
| Bennett Lane | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 9 (2005) | |
| Chappellet Winery and Vineyard | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2003 | 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon 75%/ Petit Verdot 25% | Oakville | 9 (2005) | |
| Thirteen Appellations | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2002 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 25th Harvest Cuvee | 8 (2004) |
Winery Distribution
Sullivan Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
International:
- Taiwan (Euro Drink Importer)