Amour Merlot 2022

Perfect ruby color, purity and precision, the wine is energetic and alive in the mouth leaving no doubt why this estate grown, single-vineyard Merlot repeatedly wins gold medals.

This is Merlot as it was meant to be, sumptuously rich and complex, with intense fruit layers, floral and spice notes, and a silky yet powerful structure that rewards some aging, an ideal pairing for chocolate desserts, excellent with soft meats such as pork chop, rack of lamb or filet mignon.

Amour, based on vine clones from one of the most iconic Merlot vineyards in the world, is grown on our deep clay soils. Amour shows nuances that vary by vintage but every vintage shares common hallmarks of exceptionally rich texture, plush mouthfeel, beautiful style, flavor and finish.

A wonderfully expressive nose, full of berry and cherry aromas with hints of herbs and spice, hinting at the complexity of great fruit. On the palate, the luscious, creamy cherry-dark chocolate texture carries plenty of fruit, the licorices extending the flavor profile, with soft, supple, slightly earthy tannin and cedar finish.

  • Aromatics: Ripe black plum, black cherry, violet, subtle notes of truffle and warm earth
  • Palate: Silky and seamless, with layered dark fruit, gentle cocoa, and a soft mineral undertone
  • Structure: Polished, velvety tannins; balanced acidity; effortless weight
  • Finish: Long, calm, and refined - lingering fruit and savory earth rather than power
Overall impression: Profound yet restrained. Depth comes from texture and harmony rather than overt intensity.
The combination of clay-rich terroir, meticulous viticulture, and extended barrel maturation yields a wine with remarkable depth, refined tannins, and an enduring finish.

Growing conditions in 2022 required careful vineyard irrigation and canopy management. The lack of adequate winter rain together with frost in late April contributed to a lower-than-normal projected yield.

Minimal rainfall and high temperatures in early summer allowed for the fruit that successfully set in the spring to ripen quickly, and up to August moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights created excellent conditions however the 2022 harvest was fast-tracked by a heat wave which came as a bit of a surprise nevertheless all our varieties are showing excellent chemistries in the winery and getting grapes in a little early protects them from any further hot weather and the risk of wildfires.

French Oak for 22 months, approximately 40% new, 40% one use and the balance neutral.
Cases produced = 130. No allergens were used in the making of this wine.
Color Red
Vintage 2022
Harvest Date 12th Sep 2022
Style Red Bordeaux
Appellation Dry Creek Valley
Varietal Merlot
Date Bottled 31st Dec 1969
Alcohol 14.80%
Bottle Size 750ml

Pairings