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
Staple. Always great. — 2 years ago
A tropical fruit filled chilled SB with jumbo stone crab in a summer like day.
Life goes on! — 6 years ago
Fabulous table wine. The Australian version of The Chocolate Block. Affordable too. From Wine Rack in Belsize. — 6 years ago
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
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
Run, don't walk. They leave just a hint of RS. This wine could lay down for decades, but fantastic now. — 11 years ago
Really nice stuff — 13 years ago
Barrel aged 10 months sur lie! Medium lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with notes of warm baking spice. On the palate ripe apple and lemon flavors with vanilla and nutty toasty oak. Well balanced on medium finish ending, a bit buttery with slight oak and mineral notes. Drink now! — 5 months ago
Needs a little air, great recommendation from @Somm David T
First mag of two — 8 months ago
Nice version of this variety. Rich grape. Quite dry and acidic on the tongue. — 5 years ago
Daaaaammmnnn this is 🔥!!! Gots all the signatures of a big ass Cali cabs, but like I dunno, sophisticated and demure. All those ripe lush fruity juiciness was just so perfectly interwoven with cocoa coffee graphite and lightly crushed herbs all with jusssst the right amount of oakiness <chef’s kiss> — 6 years ago
Wow delightful and refreshing. Lemon/rind and mineral. Get some! — 7 years ago
Big fruit, very mild, easy follow — 9 years ago
Just balanced thread of Shiraz pepper and velvet consistency on the tongue. Will age very well, but very good now also. — 9 years ago
Beautiful wine. Great flavours. — 10 years ago
A Fav! Medium+ lemon color with aromas of stone fruits, spice, floral, cedar, biscuits and citrus. On the palate flavors of apple, pear & ripe apricot with citrus zest, honeysuckle and nutty toasty oak notes, rich with creamy tones. Smooth, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit and integrated creamy oak. Nice! — 6 months ago
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
Love it. Thanks Tom, had it with prime Chuck smash burgers. Smooth, dark fruits, so good. — 2 years ago
Delicate pale straw color. Tart Gala apple and pear. Crisp with balanced acidity true to the vineyard and deftness of the winemaker. This wine can keep going for years to come. Drank over three nights and final glass was no less, perhaps more enjoyable than the first. — 5 years ago
With halibut cheeks, dandelion greens, sand dab fillets from west port farmers market, g-town — 6 years ago
A savory juicy textured herbal food pairing champ. Like cooking sous-vide with an immersion circulator, what was once a geeky oddity has found a permanent home on our table. Not a universal solution, but really the right tool for the job in certain situations. Like pan seared halibut with fennel or spring vegetable risotto. — 8 years ago
Surprisingly good — 11 years ago
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
JKT
Another new one, unusual Cali Cortese with 12 years. Color on the yellow amber side and nose with mature notes with a touch of oxidation. Balanced on palate — 5 months ago