More About 2022 PAHLMEYER NAPA VALLEY MERLOT The 2022 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot exemplifies the winery's dedication to crafting wines of exceptional depth and character. Comprising 98% Merlot and 2% Malbec, this vintage was meticulously produced under the guidance of winemaker Katie Vogt. The grapes were hand-harvested during the cool nights of September 2022 from esteemed high-elevation vineyards, including Waters Ranch, Stagecoach, Antica, Broken Rock, and Silverado Bench. Post-harvest, the fruit underwent careful hand sorting and destemming, followed by a gentle extraction process lasting up to 18 days on the skins. The wine was then aged for 18 months in 82% new French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered in May 2024. The resulting wine is both generous and structured, offering a dynamic interplay of intensity and vibrancy. Aromas of brambly blackberry, macerated black cherry, and wild raspberry rise from the glass, complemented by notes of crushed peppercorn, fresh sage, and a hint of forest floor. On the palate, a rich core of dark plum and fresh fig is enveloped in plush, velvety tannins, while savory, earthy undertones of tobacco leaf, cocoa nib, and plowed earth emerge with time.The finish is long and lifted, carried by the wine’s natural energy and a lingering touch of violet and warm spice. The 2022 growing season presented challenges, including late summer heat spikes, but the deeper soils and vigorous canopies of vineyards like Waters Ranch provided essential protection, ensuring the fruit retained its structure, acidity, and refined tannins. This vintage showcases a vibrant core of dark fruit while maintaining the signature complexity of its terroir. With its concentrated flavors and balanced structure, the 2022 Pahlmeyer Merlot is poised to evolve beautifully over the next decade, offering further nuance and refinement to those who cellar it.