The 2022 Lorenzi Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon captures the true signature of Rutherford right from the first sip. It delivers the classic dark fruit depth, fine structure, and dusty mineral edge that have made the appellation one of Napa Valley’s most reliable benchmarks for Cabernet. Under Don Lorenzi and consultant Julien Fayard, the wine steers clear of the oversized styles that can blur a site’s character, opting for precision, texture, and balance instead. Rutherford’s gravelly benchland soils do much of the heavy lifting. They stress the vines just enough to yield smaller berries full of concentration and structure, while the region’s warm afternoons and cool evenings preserve freshness and lift. Lorenzi’s approach stays remarkably disciplined, always keeping the vineyard at the center of every decision. At $48, this is authentic Rutherford Cabernet in territory where it has become increasingly rare, especially with Fayard’s involvement. His consulting work usually appears on far more expensive bottles, so this one stands out long before you even pour it, and even more once it’s in the glass.