Rutherford Hill
Showing 1 thru -9 of 64
Rutherford Hill 2007 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $59
Rutherford Hill has specialized in Merlot for decades, and their Reserve bottling is always one of the best. This 2007 is right up there, rich, dense and opulent. It shows massive blackberry, cherry, blueberry, anise and cedar flavors, wrapped into a fine tannin-acid structure, and the finish is dry. Perfect with the best steak you can find.
— S.H.
(2/1/2012)
Rutherford Hill 2001 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- $86
Back in the ‘70s, this winery specialized in Merlot and helped put it on the fine wine map. This wine, in a thick, heavy bottle, is elegant, complex and probably ageable. It’s fairly tannic, but possesses a molten core of cherry and mocha fruit and a lilting balance that bode well for the future. Now through 2010.
— S.H.
(4/1/2005)
Rutherford Hill 2002 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $76
What a beautiful wine. It has Merlot’s fleshy softness, but with a firm structure of finely ground tannins. Flavorwise, it packs cherry, blackberry, plum, coffee and cocoa flavors, with oak contributing a rich overlay of sweet vanilla and char. Drink now in its exuberant youth.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
Rutherford Hill 2007 Winemaker's Blend Red (Napa Valley)
- $42
This is a Bordeaux blend based on Merlot. It’s absolutely delicious, packed with sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit and hints of dark chocolate and anise. The tannins are soft and melted. A lovely, elegant wine to drink now with upscale fare.
— S.H.
(2/1/2012)
Rutherford Hill 2004 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- $92
Rutherford Hill, a true Merlot pioneer, understands the variety like few others, and when they put their mind to it in a low-production wine like this one, they rock. This Merlot is terrific. It’s rich, soft and opulent, with ripe cherry, cassis, milk chocolate, vanilla and new oak flavors. It’s at its best now.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Rutherford Hill 2009 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $65
While this doesn’t quite rival the great 2007, it is superior to the 2008. Rich, concentrated and structured, this has forward black-cherry, chocolate, anise and sandalwood flavors that are wrapped in firm but smooth, supple tannins. It should develop in the bottle over the next six years, but it can also be consumed now.
— S.H.
(4/1/2013)
Rutherford Hill 1997 Merlot (Napa Valley)
- $21
This nicely textured wine shows a stylish nose and good depth, with a bouquet of black cherry, cocoa and anise. A big wine, with a plush, rich mouthfeel, it pours on classy plum and chocolate flavors in an accessible manner. Full but even tannins show on the tart cherry finish. Enjoyable now, even better in one or two years.
— W.E.
(11/1/2001)
Rutherford Hill 1997 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $60
Aromas of dark chocolate, licorice, cedar and spice open this burly wine. Tart black cherry and ample oak show on the palate, but the wine is rather closed now and will benefit from two to four years of aging. Closes long, with a chocolate note and big tannins that need some time to resolve.
— W.E.
(11/1/2001)
Showing 1 thru -9 of 64
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