Frog's Leap Winery
Merlot 2022
Rutherford
Frog’s Leap Merlot from the Truchard Vineyard in northern Carneros is a tribute to the variety’s elegance and depth. Grown on steep, well-drained hillsides, the vines produce a wine layered with black cherry, earth, and subtle spice. Naturally fermented in stainless steel with twice-daily pumpovers, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in French oak and is aged with multiple aerative rackings to enhance texture and structure. With plush tannins, bright acidity, and a smooth finish, this Merlot offers a timeless, site-driven expression of the varietal.
VINEYARD
Frog’s Leap Merlot is sourced from steep, shale-rich hillsides in northern Carneros, planted on well-drained, moderately elevated slopes that offer excellent sun exposure and airflow. These conditions promote concentrated fruit and balanced ripening, while the rocky soils contribute depth and structure to the wine.
WINEMAKING
Frog’s Leap Merlot is hand-harvested from steep Carneros hillsides and crushed and destemmed into stainless steel tanks for natural fermentation. Twice-daily pump overs promote gentle extraction throughout fermentation, which lasts around ten days before pressing at dryness. The wine undergoes natural malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and is aged with multiple aerative rackings to enhance texture, integration, and complexity.
VINTAGE
The 2022 growing season in Napa Valley's Carneros region was marked by a mix of weather patterns, including a dry start and a significant heatwave, ultimately resulting in an earlier-than-usual harvest of exceptional quality.
TASTING NOTE
A medium-bodied red wine with a smooth texture and flavors of ripe plums, blackberries, and spices like clove and cinnamon. The wine has a good balance of acidity and tannins, leading to a long finish with a hint of oak.
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Merlot
Appellation
Rutherford
Certifications
Organic
Farming
Organic and Dry Farming practices
Alcohol
12.9%
Reviews
James Suckling - March 19, 2025
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
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