Leonetti Cellar Merlot 2012

Leonetti Cellar Merlot 2012 is a full-bodied barrel-aged red wine from the Walla Walla sub-region (and AVA) of Washington State, USA. Founded in 1977 by Gary Figgins, Leonetti was the first winery to exist in Walla Walla. Figgins also planted Walla Walla`s first vineyards, planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling on his grandparents farm there in 1973. Leonetti set the early benchmark for red wines from Walla Walla and has managed to maintain that high standard for the past four decades. Its red wines are rich and powerful yet with great finesse, texture and purity. They also age extremely well. The winemaker`s note foe the 2012 Merlot states. "The 2012 Merlot is one of my favourite vintages for Merlot—ranking along ’08, ’05, and ’98. The wine is dark and saturated. In the glass, the wine explodes with an ethereal, complex nose of cinnamon, plum, pomegranate, clove, and a hint of spring pine forest. On the palate, the wine has delicious fresh ripe fruit, reminiscent of berry pie filling. Incredible richness but with a stunning levity that lifts. A dead ringer for some of the finest Pomerol I have ever tasted. Quite simply an incredibly sexy, hedonistic wine."