Bill Harrison’s maternal ancestors have been making fine wine in Italy since the early 16th Century. His grandfather, Antonio Perelli-Minetti immigrated to California in 1902, and was one of the first winemakers in the State to hold a degree in viticulture and enology. He is widely considered one of the more prominent figures in California’s winemaking heritage. Antonio’s daughter, Conchita was born in Torreon, Mexico, where he established a 700-acre vineyard operation before the revolution forced him back to California. Conchita married Bill’s father just after the Depression, and her son now carries on the family’s tradition of crafting fine wine in the Napa Valley.

“Rutherford Red” is the flagship Meritage blend, comprised of the winemaker’s favorite barrels of the five Bordeaux varieties grown on the Estate. With the best lots of Cabernet Sauvignon as the foundation, precise volumes of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and the famous Cabernet Franc to craft the best possible expression of the Harrison’s vineyard every year.

Wine Notes
Aromas begin with ripe blackberry and boysenberry, and lead to a dark chocolate character derived from new French oak. On the palate, its texture is bold and rich, accompanied by sweet, dark fruit flavors and fine-grained tannins, a notable characteristic of the Rutherford appellation. While delicious upon release if decanted for 1-2 hours, this wine will evolve nicely with short-term aging. 300 cases produced.