A.Aitch Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2023

When veteran Napa winemaker Ashley Hepworth set out to create A.Aitch, she wasn't looking to reinvent the wheel but rather to see it differently. After more than two decades at the helm of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, where she helped shape some of Napa Valley's most celebrated wines, Ashley found herself ready for a new chapter. The result is A.Aitch: a deeply personal project that reflects her philosophy of purity, balance, and authenticity, all through the lens of a fresh perspective.

The name itself is a clue. A.Aitch, a phonetic nod to Ashley's initials, "A.H.", is a playful yet purposeful reminder that sometimes the answer is right in front of you. Designed in collaboration with brand designer Michael Roché, the label rejects the usual vineyard or monument imagery in favor of a more introspective approach. A.Aitch is about turning inward, about clarity through simplicity, about looking again and seeing more.

The 2023 A.Aitch Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard block at the base of Rutherford’s famed benchlands, where the gravelly soils and gentle slopes deliver a wine that’s both powerful and poised. Ashley crafted this wine with her hallmark precision—100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 685—fermented in stainless steel and aged 18 months in French oak (50% new). The result is 130 cases of quintessential Rutherford character: a vibrant interplay of black cherries, mulberries, cassis, tobacco, loam, and baker’s chocolate, framed by subtle notes of spiced toffee and crushed gravel. The palate is generous yet restrained, with fine-grained, dusty tannins and a finish that hums with bay laurel, wildflowers, and red and black fruits. A.Aitch is a reminder that sometimes, seeing things differently is all it takes to create something truly timeless.