Rutherford Hill Merlot (75cl, 14.5%)

Rutherford Hill Merlot is a full-bodied, 100% Merlot from Napa Valley, California, from the 2021 vintage. Rutherford Hill has an extensive cave system beneath the hillside, where roughly 8,000 French and American oak barrels rest at constant temperature and humidity. The Merlot spends 21 days on skins with twice-daily pump overs, then 14 months of cave ageing. The nose shows ripe blackberry, cassis, black currant, black tea leaves, Asian spice, graphite, violet and Damson plum. The palate is full-bodied, with blueberry, spiced boysenberry, mocha, cola and well-integrated tannins. The finish is rich, round and smooth, with bramble berry, dark chocolate, spice and dark fruit.