Rutherford Hill Merlot
After a week of cool drizzly weather, a very warm fall day caught me by surprise. Fortunately we had some fresh ahi tuna in the fridge to sear and present on leftover lobster risotto and a salad with blueberries and cranberry stilton to pair with two wines from Rutherford Hill: a 2021 Rose of Merlot and a 2019 Merlot, named top Napa Merlot under $40.
Rose all day, amIright? And especially when you’re feeling overheated! For something different, try a rose of merlot! Especially if it’s #MerlotDay, held annually on Nov. 7 since 2011!
Happy Merlot Day!
Rutherford Hill Merlot
Menu
- lobster risotto
- organic spring greens
- organic blueberries
- stilton with cranberries
- seared fresh ahi tuna
- dressed with rice vinegar and peanut oil
- sesame seeds
Wines
- 2021 Rutherford Hill Rose of Merlot, Napa Valley
- 2019 Rutherford Hill Merlot, Napa Valley
Rutherford Hill Merlot with seared ahi tuna
2021 Rutherford Hill Rose of Merlot, Napa Valley
ABV: 13.8
SRP: ??
Grapes: Merlot
Appearance: Salmon, rose gold.
Aroma: Strawberry lemonade with mint and lavender.
Palate: Lush round strawberry and cherry fruit with a savory mint and kiwi finish.
Pairing: Wonderful with the lobster risotto, works well with the salad especially with the peanut oil and rice vinegar, fantastic with the rich seared ahi tuna.
2019 Rutherford Hill Merlot, Napa Valley
ABV: 14.5
SRP: ??
Grapes: Merlot
Appearance: Ruby, medium density
Aroma: Fresh fruit of raspberry and cherry with earthy and woody aromas of sage, tobacco, mint, wet slate, loamy soil.
Palate: Raspberry and cherry, fresh and bright, black currant tea, and an earthy, minty finish. Well crafted, balanced, satisfying.
Pairing: I know that Washington merlot’s silky tannins works well with seared ahi tuna’s rich silky flavors but I wasn’t sure how it would work with a Napa merlot. However, since we had fresh ahi tuna and we had this wine I decided to experiment: in this case it was a fabulous pairing. My spouse usually prefers beer over wine, but he couldn’t get enough of this wine and tuna pairing which worked well with the risotto and the salad as well.
- Looking for more Merlot? Check this article out from earlier this month.
- More Merlot from Women Winemakers.
- How about these merlot paired with instant pot bacon mushroom chicken?
- And yes more merlot here too: a vertical from Duckhorn
How are you celebrating Merlot Day?
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 