Lot 473
2022 Lake County Merlot

$40/bottle under the original label

Lot 473 is a 100% single-vineyard high elevation Merlot that’s been a hit with critics in its most recent vintages, fetching 90+ from the usual crop of publications. To be frank, if it said “Napa” on the label folks would be forking over twice as much.

On the nose, cherries and plums are interwoven with cocoa shavings, crushed violets, vanilla bean, and garrigue. A balanced entry with further cherries and plums is kissed by baking spice and new leather dusted by potting soils, all set against medium acidity and crushed, velvety tannins. A medium-length finish is immediately uplifted with cherries, vanilla blossoms and a kiss of spice.