While the majority of St. Supery’s grapes are sourced from the 1,500-acre Dollarhide Ranch near the Pope Valley (a sub-appellation within the Napa Valley), the acreage around the winery in Rutherford has evolved into the prime spot for merlot, which has long been a strong suit for St. Supery. The Rutherford Estate Merlot, as it is called, is a beautifully proportioned Napa Valley red that delivers layered aromas of plum, blueberry and blackberry, with beautifully integrated tannins and a long, spicy finish. It is one of the top five merlots produced in the Napa Valley, in my humble opinion.
St. Supery, Rutherford (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2008
By Robert Whitley