2022 Calluna Vineyards Aux Raynauds Merlot, Chalk Hill California

The 2022 Calluna Vineyards Aux Raynauds comes from an exceptionally small 0.88-acre Merlot block on Calluna’s estate in the Chalk Hill AVA. The vineyard sits on a relatively flat plateau near the top of the property, with a high concentration of clay—exactly the type of soil in which Merlot thrives. The vines are French Clone 181 Merlot grafted onto 420A rootstock, with Cabernet Franc included in the blend. The wine is named in honor of Alain Raynaud of Bordeaux, who mentored Calluna founder and winemaker David Jeffrey during his time working in Saint-Émilion.

The 2022 vintage contains 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc and was raised in 20% new oak. The unusually warm finish to the 2022 growing season brought extra ripeness, yet the wine retained the classical proportions Calluna is known for. It shows dark berries, cassis, espresso, campfire, cigar wrapper and dark-soil character, with a subtle nutty oak note. On the palate it is deep and full-bodied, with a concentrated core of fruit, fine-grained tannins and a long, balanced finish. Wine Enthusiast also found roasted berries, candied cherry, milk chocolate and fresh mint, noting its lively acidity and tannic structure for medium-term aging.