The 2022 Leonetti Cellar Merlot is a red wine hailing from the Walla Walla appellation in the Columbia Valley of Washington, USA. Produced by the acclaimed Leonetti Cellar, this Merlot has received high praise from notable wine reviewers, highlighting its distinctive characteristics and aging potential.

James Suckling, a respected voice in the wine industry, awarded this wine a score of 94 points. He remarked on the intriguing aromas, noting, "I like the chocolate and Oreo cookie aromas to the black plum fruit. Oranges and bay leaves, too." He further described the wine as "full-bodied, full of character, and expansive on the palate, with a toasty, firm tannin frame," adding that it "remains elegant." Suckling recommends drinking this 100% Merlot starting from 2025, suggesting that it will benefit from some time in the bottle before reaching its peak.

Similarly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2022 Leonetti Cellar Merlot a commendable score of 93 points. The review highlights the wine's deep color and extraction, which is notable for a Merlot. The tasting notes describe "mocha notes with plum and blackberry compote with soft notions of brown baking spices that sway from the glass with a firm, mineral essence." The palate is described as "full-bodied" but still tight, with "firm, gripping tannins that will release with additional years in the cellar yet will remain food-friendly for the next decade." Additionally, the wine spent 15 months maturing in a mix of new and used French oak and neutral botti, with a production of 23,448 bottles.

In summary, the 2022 Leonetti Cellar Merlot is a robust and multi-layered wine, showing promise for both near-term enjoyment and longer-term aging. Its complex flavor profile, highlighted by notes of chocolate, plum, and baking spices, along with its firm tannin structure, has garnered high marks from expert reviewers. This Merlot exemplifies the quality and character that Leonetti Cellar is known for, making it a noteworthy addition to any wine collection.