Mark Osmers

9.2

The Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (2021) reveals a deep ruby core with subtle garnet reflections, suggesting youthful vibrancy with potential for short-term development. The nose is precise and layered, offering blackberry and raspberry fruit interwoven with cedar nuances, indicative of measured oak influence.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with light acidity that enlivens the fruit profile while maintaining balance.

Tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, supporting a bright structural framework that lends clarity and poise.

The finish is clean and persistent, marked by freshness rather than weight, making this a versatile companion to dishes such as roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or semi-hard cheeses. — 7 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

California’s version of White Burgundy. Great older bottle from recent auction. — 9 months ago

Paul J

9.4

1hr plus decant. Dark red color. Cassis and dark fruit on the palate. Very sweet, like candy in a glass. Huge depth. Different style than most Napa Cabs but who doesn’t like candy! — 4 years ago

with Brooke and Geoff

Ming L

9.0

A tropical fruit filled chilled SB with jumbo stone crab in a summer like day.
Life goes on! — 6 years ago

Matthew Humbaugh

8.9

Really enjoying this wine. Very drinkable. Don’t know anything about Monastrell but would definitely drink more. For a $15 wine, this is great QPR! Drink this all day! — 7 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.3

I love this wine. I love this wine because it exists all the way at the 'painstakingly clean and precise' end of the skin-contact spectrum. Don't get me wrong, I love the super-natty wild and wooly and of the spectrum too. But this. This is so purely and exactly what it sets out to be. And I love it. — 9 years ago

Patrick Culliton

9.5

Bright red fruit with Blackberry tart notes and oak dry finish. — 10 years ago

Patrick Ayotte

9.1

Quite dark colored. Young nose with fruits, spices, fresh grass and strength can be felt. On the palate it’s balanced between the fruit flavors and the oak well integrated by the way, long finish and no heaviness. Excellent (91) — 11 years ago

Ray Dalton

9.9

Very good a definite get again — 12 years ago

Patrick Dolan

9.3

Slight vanilla and crisp smell. Some pear too. Taste has some bitter and sour notes but malactic makes it a little smoother. Minerally. Better with food. Had butter garlic clams. — 13 years ago

Ed Chin

9.4

It is so open for business right now. A prime example of Napa old school. Dark fruit and resolved tannins. — 6 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

Needs a little air, great recommendation from @Somm David T
First mag of two — 8 months ago

K L

9.2

Staple. Always great. — 2 years ago

with Matt

Mike Whitworth

9.8

Classic Napa...delicious — 6 years ago

SK

9.3

Fabulous table wine. The Australian version of The Chocolate Block. Affordable too. From Wine Rack in Belsize. — 6 years ago

Olin Cramer

10

Smooooth.... dark, black fruit, cassis and tobacco. silky tannins to finish — 9 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.2

19 yrs old and still stunning late harvest CHARDONNY... Complex with vibrant fruit and acidity. Only two barrels made. The finest late harvest CHARDONNY I have ever had.... Lush and balanced. Only have one bottle left. Very lucky to have a few bottles.....
— 10 years ago

with Joe

Randy

9.5

Surprisingly good — 11 years ago

Ross Otto

9.4

Could use some more aging. More spice and more bold. Not as good as the 2010 — 12 years ago

with Melissa

Puerto Rico Wine News

9.3

Really nice stuff — 13 years ago

Jeffrey Howell

9.1

Delicious, well balanced — 6 months ago

DCH

9.4

Really impressed.
St. Innocent’s consistency of style lets terroir shine through their single vineyard series. Like a controlled experiment. 2021 Temperance Hill shows incredible levels of complexity and spice, while maintaining a great degree of balance and approachability. Put simply, it tastes great.

I haven’t had a chance to taste 2021 Momtazi, but this wine has similar levels of depth to prior vintages if memory serves, while being more easily appealing. I’ve tired 2021 Shea, but not side-by-side with this. While the Shea is an excellent wine, for my taste this is more expressive and interesting. — 8 months ago

Ronald LaMascus

8.9

Excellent qpr! Upon opening, it’s somewhat subdued but half an hour later, wow! What happened?! And with food, roasted red meats, hard cheeses, grilled vegetables, it really comes alive! This is as good or better than cabs costing 2-3 times as much. Great daily drinker!! — 9 months ago

E D

9.0

Nice version of this variety. Rich grape. Quite dry and acidic on the tongue. — 5 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.0

With halibut cheeks, dandelion greens, sand dab fillets from west port farmers market, g-town — 6 years ago

Aditya Sane

9.2

Licorice, raspberries, stewed cherries, cloves, a bit of anise, mint, and eucalyptus
Very tasty now, but might not last for too long — 8 years ago

Jim Wade

9.1

Enjoyed with steak and family. Thanks Chris! — 10 years ago

Michael Mendes

9.2

Run, don't walk. They leave just a hint of RS. This wine could lay down for decades, but fantastic now. — 11 years ago

Trish Barry

10

Nothing more to say about this wine except for AMAZING!!! — 12 years ago

Pierre Gustafsson

8.9

Very nice! Slight vanilla flavor — 12 years ago