Leonetti - Merlot Walla Walla Valley 2014

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Placing one’s nose into a glass of the 2014 Leonetti Merlot results in an immediate smile. It leads with a gorgeous pure fruit nose of compote reduction and graham cracker that jump from the glass. It is so rich, lush, and pure. It is a positively delicious wine that will easily age 10+ years for those of you who enjoy cellaring wines. This is everything Merlot wants to and can be in Washington State.

Leonetti Description

Exclusive production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been the hallmark of Gary Figgins' Leonetti Cellar winery in the suburbs of Walla Walla. Grapes from his own vineyard and from other nearby properties are used to create these rich and robust varietal wines. The attractive new winery building made of native stone houses barrel storage and fermenting tanks.

Wine Advocate: 93 Points

A soft, sexy and luxuriously textured red, the 2014 Walla Walla Merlot (there’s 6% Cabernet Franc in the blend) is loaded with perfectly ripe notes of black currants, lead pencil shavings, charred earth and chocolate. Full-bodied and possessing a wealth of fruit, you have to hunt for the tannin, but they’re there; still, fruit and texture are the name of the game here. The baby fat should slowly melt away and it should have 15 years or more of longevity.

Wine Enthusiast

Aromatically, this wine is currently subdued, with the notes of raspberry, cocoa and cherry that haven't fully blossomed. The flavors meanwhile are generous and ripe, while still showing a fine sense of balance. Additional time in the bottle or a long decant should allow it to open up.

Wine Spectator

Dense, with cherry and herbal overtones in a package wrapped in firm, fine, peppery tannins, swerving into a long and expressive finish. Needs time to soften the edges. Best from 2018 through 2023. 1,848 cases made.