March 12, 2023 - Fruit forward very good
December 25, 2018 - A bit of barnyard on the nose, but bright fruit dominates from the first sip to the finish. Short finish, light on tannins.
November 9, 2018 - Sweet fruit, yet a sense of balance. Not a bad merlot at this price point. (Wife - 89)
May 11, 2018 - First merlot in a long while. Bright fruits, some smoke and earth. Like it!
January 18, 2018 - Agree with Baronspaw. As it typical of RH. Excellent composition and consistent in quality. Very under rated wine makers and should be considerably higher.
December 1, 2017 - Well-made $17 Napa Merlot Rutherford Hill '13. Dark garnet; blackberry, ripe grape nose (13.5 alc); wood, cocoa; mid-big body; big extract; good fruit; a little one-dimensional; long hot finish; good beef wine.
November 6, 2017 - Nice fruity nose; medium weight; red fruit; tannins smoothed out after some time; prefer heavier wines but it was enjoyable
October 8, 2017 - Quite nice and a good style for the varietal. Lighter on fruit than the best merlots, but that was all it lacked. Good nose, soft tannins, fruit profile was round with some strawberry, hint of clove, touch of cherry. Drink now.
October 8, 2017 - Offering herb-laced dusty berries and melted licorice on the nose, this deep ruby blend of 79% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah, and 3% Malbec serves up similar flavors on a medium-bodied palate, accented with notes of red cherries, dried herbs and orange peel. Freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with grippy tannins, it is impressively dense in the middle and closes with a medium length, albeit dry finish. Give this one another year or two in the cellar to let the tannins simmer down. It may merit a higher score as it fleshes out. Drink 2019-2025.
July 28, 2017 - Pleasant varietal character and appealing terroir notes on show throughout, given the absence of obtrusive alcohol. Goes down easy.