2017 Cotes du Coeur Catalog with tabs

Beaulieu Vineyards
History
When Georges and Fernande de Latour first saw the breathtaking
expanse of Napa Valley near Rutherford, Fernande exclaimed
“beau lieu!” or “beautiful place.” They planted the surrounding
land—including the sloping alluvial fan bench of the Napa Riverto
vineyards BV 1 and BV 2, terroir that has become the backbone
of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The first
Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted
with grapes from the 1936 vintage by André Tchelistcheff, who
tasted the wine in barrel and insisted on giving it an independent
bottling. Today this wine is widely considered the standard bearer of
fine Rutherford Cabernet, with deep fruit character, silky tannins and
impressive aging ability.
People
Georges de Latour recognized the exceptional winemaking promise
of his Rutherford estate, and he was dedicated to the research
and innovation that would bring about its finest expression. He
needed someone who understood European standards, so in 1938,
he recruited the brilliant André Tchelistcheff, research enologist
from France’s Pasteur Institute. Tchelistcheff applied his scientific
knowledge to vineyard and winery, benefitting Beaulieu Vineyard as
well as the entire nascent California wine industry. His highly trained
palate led him to identify the superior Rutherford fruit quality-with
the distinctive character he called “Rutherford Dust”-that became the
hallmark of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
In 1991, Tchelistcheff and Joel Aiken, then Vice President of
Winemaking at Beaulieu Vineyard, began working alongside one
another. Their collaboration and shared commitment to innovative
winemaking defines the philosophy behind the new Georges de
Latour Private Reserve Winery.
Philosophy
They have pioneered winemaking techniques, acquired the highest
quality vineyards in Napa Valley and established vineyard and
winemaking teams that have included the likes of André Tchelistcheff,
Mike Grgich, Joel Aiken, and now Jeffrey Stambor.
The new Georges de Latour Private Reserve Winery is the latest
in their rich legacy of innovation. This winery will enable them to
further develop the expression of our historic Rutherford terroir, and
to fully implement the insight we have gained from in-depth smalllot
experiments. The result will be the most remarkable Georges de
Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines we are capable of
handcrafting-wines that deserve their place among the lineage of
Georges de Latour Private Reserve vintages.
www.bvwines.com
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