From: Walla Walla, Washington, USA
Varietal: Merlot
Taste & Critical Acclaim
Winemaker’s Notes: This wine is densely colored garnet to the rim. It opens with rich aromatics of graham crackers and blackberries poured over vanilla ice cream with a subtle note of rich medium roast coffee. Sweet and dense fruit notes on the mid-palate are bolstered by grippy tannins that recede at the perfect moment. Each sip leaves you with a supple but chalky finish that lingers. A truly sensational Merlot from the '22 vintage that must be experienced.
“I like the chocolate and Oreo cookie aromas to the black plum fruit. Oranges and bay leaves, too. It’s full-bodied, full of character and expansive on the palate, with a toasty, firm tannin frame. Remains elegant. 100% Merlot.” —James Suckling, 94 points (March 2024)
“Deeply colored and extracted for a Merlot, the 2022 Walla Walla Merlot displays mocha notes with plum and blackberry compote with soft notions of brown baking spices that sway from the glass with a firm, mineral essence. Full-bodied, the palate is still tight with firm,. gripping tannins that will release with additional years in the cellar yet will remain food-friendly for the next decade.” —Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 93 points (March 2024)
Pairing: Structured, classically opulent, rich red wines from the US are benchmarks for iconic pairings. Dishes that feature dry-aged steaks (like dry-aged USDA prime ribeye), homemade burgers, grilled portobello’s, bacon-wrapped dates, roasts, and braises are all fantastic candidates for the perfect pair. Korean Bulgogi strikes the perfect balance of savory, salty, and slightly sweet that will pair beautifully with this wine.
Bulgogi, from Maangchi, adapted by Julia Moskin for the NYT
About. Started in 1978 by Gary Figgins in Walla Walla, WA, Leonetti Cellar is best known for their Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but also produce excellent Merlot. Today, the winery is run by Gary’s son Chris Figgins, the head winemaker, and his daughter Amy Figgins, who oversees operations.
“Many of you know that Leonetti Cellar was founded by my parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins, in 1977 as Walla Walla’s first commercial winery. What is far less understood is that the presence of our family in Walla Walla spans over a century long into the deep silt loam of this valley. My father was incredibly fortunate to know his grandparents, Francesco and Rosa Leonetti, quite well. I grew up making weekend trips the short distance down the old dirt road to the Leonetti farm they established in 1906. This is the same site where, with a few cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, my father would come to plant his first commercial vineyard in 1974 and unknowingly establish an entire industry for our valley. Building off the inspiration he gleaned from his grandfather’s bubbling fermentations on the farm’s dirt floor basement, the only logical thing to do to honor his family’s roots would be to name the winery Leonetti Cellar. Through these experiences I acquired a certain perspective and reverence for our family heritage that guides me to this day.” —Chris Figgins
For some additional background on the winery, we’re sharing Jim Kershner’s HistoryLink.org essay, “Washington Wine History Interviews: Gary Figgins, Leonetti Cellar.”
