Rutherford Hill.
Wait, that Rutherford Hill?
Yeah, that one, the one you remember, one of the pioneering Merlot houses in Napa in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
If you’ve ever driven the Silverado Trail up through Rutherford, you’ve probably seen the grand stone entrance to Rutherford Hill perched above the valley. Founded in 1972, the estate was an early champion of Merlot in Napa Valley at a time when Cabernet was the only game in town. The vision was simple but bold: bring Merlot into the conversation as a world-class variety, not just a blending partner. Over the years Rutherford Hill established itself as one of the benchmarks for Napa Merlot, with vineyard sourcing focused across Rutherfordand the surrounding hillsides, where well-drained soils and the afternoon sun coax depth and ripeness without excess weight.
Ownership shifted to Terlato in the mid-1990s, and with that came a reinvestment in vineyards and winery technology. The cellar saw significant upgrades, gravity-flow design, small-lot fermentations, and a barrel program that leaned on high-quality French oak cooperage. Rutherford Hill has continued to refine its style, balancing plush Napa fruit with a structure that makes their wines cellar-worthy. Today the focus remains squarely on Merlot, with the winemaking team blending in small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, or other Bordeaux varieties when the vintage calls for it. But the soul of Rutherford Hill is still Merlot, grown in carefully chosen sites that highlight what this grape can do in the Rutherford AVA.
The 2022 Rutherford Hill Merlot Napa Valley is proof of that mission. Dark garnet in the glass with a touch of purple at the rim, it opens with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and red plum, layered with cedar, mocha, and dark chocolate. Hints of graphite and spice slip in behind the fruit, adding complexity without distraction. On the palate it is rich and plush, with smooth, fine-grained tannins supporting waves of ripe fruit. Notes of currants, plum, and cherry carry forward, joined by cedar, vanilla, and a whisper of tobacco leaf.
