2022Merlot
2022Merlot
The 2022 Tenor Merlot is comprised of three small vineyard parcels within the greater Columbia Valley: Wallula Gap Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills, Scarline Vineyard along the Royal Slope AVA, and Red Mountain Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.
During the 2022 vintage, our winemaking team worked with each vineyard manager to proactively restrict yields, which created extremely concentrated berries. Cool, fall nights preserved a sense of freshness in the wine, while flavor continued to develop. The harvest of all three vineyards took place in the cool early mornings between October 1st and the 15th.
Once arriving in the winery, the fruit was cluster-sorted, de-stemmed, and berry-sorted. The wine spent 48 hours cold-soaking, before careful fermentation, lasting 14 days. The wine was left in tank for extended maceration for an additional period, to further extract the unique aspects of the vintage and provide maximum integration. The free-run wine was cellared in varying formats of 100% new French oak. After 21 months in select cooperages, 11 barrels were meticulously selected and carefully blended.
The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to ensure everything was preserved as intended: purity, vibrancy, and intensity. Only 254 cases were bottled.
Tasting Notes
Inky black crimson, dense to the rim. The nose unfolds with opulent black and blue fruit preserves, mingling with fragrant earth, graphite, and sweet tobacco. On the palate, black cherry coulis bursts forth, interwoven with delicate dried rose petals, kirsch, and warm plums. Power and precision define the mouthfeel—full-bodied richness beautifully balanced by focused structure. The finish is long and resonant, echoing with juicy mulberries, loamy earth, and a wisp of incense.
Labeled Appellation
Varietal Composition
100% Merlot
Awards & Accolades
"Full-bodied and muscular on the palate, the wine delivers an intense wave of dark fruit, charred herbs, and licorice root, all wrapped in assertive, youthful tannins. The moderate-plus acidity slices through the richness, keeping the core lifted and structured. There's a distinct wildness to the fruit profile that reflects the vineyard’s elevation and intensity. While tightly coiled now, it hums with latent energy and definition, pointing toward a beautifully evolved future. Highly recommended."
96 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
"The 2022 Merlot was matured for 21 months in 100% new French oak. It has intense aromas of chocolate-covered cherries, soy sauce, iodine and glossy new oak spice. The full-bodied palate offers iron-laced flavors that have yet to full unfold. It’s structured by soft, powdery tannins and has a long, latent finish. Offer it 3-5 years in the cellar. 254 cases were made."
92+ points, Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate
"A potent blackberry aroma dominates lesser notes of cedar, earth and a puff of powdered sugar. This is a full-bodied wine with broad tannic shoulders and energetic acidity. Its black cherry, espresso and bittersweet dark chocolate flavors are joined by a significant amount of oak spices. CELLAR SELECTION"
92 points, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast