The 2022 Vintner Select Merlot is slightly more expensive and is a smaller selection of 100% Merlot. It brings another level of sexiness and is medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, with lots of classic Merlot black cherry, leather, spice, and cedary, chocolaty nuances. I love its overall balance, it has sweet tannins, and a great finish. It will give a great Pomerol a run for its money. Drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years or so. Drink 2025-2037.

The 2022 Merlot Vintner Select is powerful, dense and super expressive. A blast of dark cherry/plum fruit, espresso, licorice, incense, tobacco and chocolate are all dialed up to the maximum. Dense and layered in the glass, the 2022 is a fine effort in this challenging vintage. My impression is that the 2022 will age a bit faster than most vintages, as its bouquet is already quite open. I doubt that will be an issue for most readers, given how alluring the wine is. The 2022 is powerful and yet also refined. 

-By Antonio Galloni on November 2025