2018 Summers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Yountville

It was 1968. And in the 30 years since Beaulieu Vineyard founder Georges de Latour plucked Russian André Tchelistcheff out of France and installed him as BV’s winemaker, the winery had become perhaps Napa Valley’s greatest. De Latour’s namesake wine—the Georges de Latour Private Reserve, crafted by Tchelistcheff—had introduced a new level of prestige and collectibility to Napa Valley. 

But now, Tchelistcheff was stepping down as Winemaster. Who could possibly fill his shoes? 

Tchelistcheff himself had the answer. It was Richard G. Peterson.

Dick Peterson is one of the great legends of California fine wine. Not only did he craft BV’s iconic bottlings, but he also invented several industry-standard innovations. He was president at Atlas Peak Vineyards, he was the first consultant for Screaming Eagle, and he made wines for Amuse Bouche—the label that belongs to his daughter, cult Cabernet legend Heidi Peterson Barrett, an apple that fell VERY close to the tree.  

Summers Estate is a revered winery with vineyards in Knights Valley, in Sonoma County, and Calistoga, where Beth and the late Jim Summers purchased land back in 1996. Richard Peterson was their hand-picked winemaker.

In the stellar 2018 vintage, Peterson, a man of infinite connections, gained access to a stellar Yountville vineyard. He crafted a wine worthy of the Summers Estate Reserve label. But Jim Summers passed away that year, and by the time the wine was bottles (in 2020), Summers Estate had sold.

That’s exactly how we were able to score this incredible wine. It’s rare to get to experience the expertise of Richard Peterson, especially from a prime Yountville vineyard. Powerful and elegant, boasting aromatic intensity, this is as good as it gets.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 15.00%
• 1 hour
• Now – 2030
• % Cabernet Sauvignon
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Cork