Winemaker Notes
Fast, furious and exciting, the 2004 harvest brought grape clusters with small berries and intense flavors producing rich color concentration and complexity.
Medium-bodied, Rutherford Ranch 2004 Merlot has soft, supple tannins with a long, satisfying finish. Dried cherry, blueberry and rich, dark chocolate intertwine for soft, lush aromas.
Able to handle anything from the grill, but this wine is absolutely at its best when served with roasted rack of lamb. Whip up a fresh pasta dish or simmer a beef stew to enjoy the concentrated fruit flavors of this Merlot.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.