Pale amber-salmon color; cherry, plum, strawberry, watermelon, honeysuckle on the nose; strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pink grapefruit on the palate.
Dry; light body; etherial red fruits. No tannins, moderate acidity. Simple, smooth easy drinker with delicious red fruits framed by moderate acidity and some merlot intensity from a low-yield, small-berry vintage. Lightness is compelling focus of this effort. Wonderful merlot softness and deliciousness made into a rosé by winery famed for its expertise with merlot. The label proclaims: “absurdly drinkable.” Accurate. 13.8% ABV
Rutherford Hill prides itself in a primary, but not exclusive, focus on merlot. They also have significant cave capacity. The website notes: “At Rutherford, we have one of Napa Valley’s most extensive cave systems that run nearly a mile long. The caves offer ideal conditions for aging our elegant wines, the high humidity and low temperatures produce an environment that minimizes evaporation and human interaction allowing them the age gracefully.”
Marisa Taylor is the winemaker. She grew up in wine country; her godfather was a vineyard manager. She earned a BS in chemistry from Cal-Davis, then added a MS in food science–ecology. She describes herself as a “lab rat” with a passion for analytical details. She has been with Rutherford Hill for almost two decades and added the general manager role in 2014. She also is a two-time cancer survivor. One tough, talented woman.
The website notes: “Marisa is part of a talented winemaking team at the Terlato Wine Group’s Rutherford Hill Winery in Napa Valley, crafting its award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet. She is happy, challenged and enjoys all aspects of winemaking. In her free time, Marisa enjoys quilting, gardening and entertaining family and friends.”
Rutherford Hill is a Terlato Wine Group brand and Rutherford Hill was their first purchase to become vintners as opposed to wine marketers. The Terlato Wine Group (TWG) is a four-generation American, family-owned wine company based in Lake Bluff, Illinois. The Terlatos place an admirable emphasis on building a strong, family-owned and operated company. Participation, however, must be earned. Each Terlato must work outside the family business and rise to a management position before they achieve a place in the Terlato management team. Anthony Terlato, the family patriarch received Wine Enthusiast’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. Their guiding principle: quality first because quality endures. They are the largest seller of luxury wines in the United States.
Rutherford Hill Rosé of Merlot, Napa Valley Appellation 2021 is light, crisp, very flavorful expression of free run merlot juice. If you are a merlot fan—and you should be—this is delightfully delicate iteration of what merlot grape can be. Easily can be enjoyed by wide range of wine drinkers—and even those not really into wine. Works as an aperitif and paired with fruity desserts. Pair with shellfish; salads and vegetarian fare; spicy food. Cheese—mild and soft cheeses, fresh cheeses, mixed milk cheeses, soft goat cheeses; burrata, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, rocchetta. $22
