2022 Reserve Merlot
Appellation
Napa Valley
Varietal
Merlot
About the wine
The diverse terroirs create a wine of balance, depth, and finesse. Aromas emerge alongside warm baking spices, cedar, and a whisper of vanilla from well-integrated oak. The medium to full-bodied palate has a silky texture with a lovely depth and fresh fruit flavors layered with notes of chocolate and espresso. The finish is long and lingering, with echoes of dark chocolate, spice, and a refined minerality that speaks to the wine’s Napa Valley origins.
The 2022 Merlot is a carefully crafted blend sourced from six vineyards, harvested between September 3 and September 15. Four of these vineyards are located in the cooler, fog-influenced southern part of Napa, where Merlot achieves full phenolic ripeness without excessive sugar accumulation or elevated alcohol levels. Planted on Haire soils—light clay soils that help regulate vine temperature—these sites enhance the wine’s textural richness while showcasing savory, dark fruit characteristics. The remaining two vineyards, situated in the warmer regions of St. Helena and Oakville, contribute vibrancy, roundness, and silkiness to the blend. These sites are planted on Bale soils, which are more gravelly with volcanic influences, adding complexity and depth. Following harvest, the grapes underwent extended maceration, spending an average of 29 days on their skins. The wine was then aged for 19 months in 21% new French oak and bottled unfiltered at the end of August 2024.
