Klipsun 2022 Red

Rutherford may be the benchmark of Napa, but on Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard has carved its own legend. The 2022 Klipsun Red embodies the harmony of extremes—a wine born from a site where desert sun meets cooling winds, where deep sandy loams test the vine yet reward perseverance with fruit of profound character. It is here, on these storied slopes, that this singular red blend finds both its power and its poise, speaking to the elemental balance of place and season.

The 2022 growing season was one of contrasts: a cool, damp spring that slowed budbreak, followed by a flash of summer heat, and then a lingering autumn that stretched hang time to perfection. From this tension emerged grapes of thrilling balance—Cabernet Sauvignon as the backbone, Merlot softening the mid-palate, Syrah adding exotic spice, Malbec contributing density, and a touch of Cabernet Franc lending aromatic lift. The debut of Cabernet from the newly planted FPS-4 clone brings an added dimension of purity and precision, a hint of what the future promises from this hallowed vineyard.

In the glass, the wine is immediately seductive. Layers of black cherry, cassis, and ripe plum unfold, supported by graphite, violets, and a whisper of cocoa. The palate is vibrant yet supple, with a velvety texture that glides across the tongue. Bright acidity keeps the wine lifted and energetic, while refined tannins frame its structure with confidence and grace. There is both immediacy and depth here—a wine that charms in youth yet promises remarkable development with cellar age.

The élevage of 14 months in French oak, half of it new, lends polish without excess. Subtle notes of cedar, baking spice, and toasted vanilla weave into the fruit, enhancing rather than overwhelming it. The result is a red blend that is both luxurious and restrained, an authentic expression of Red Mountain terroir elevated by meticulous winemaking.

What makes Klipsun 2022 Red so compelling is its duality—rugged yet elegant, concentrated yet balanced, unmistakably powerful yet crafted with finesse. It is a rare single-vineyard wine that captures the essence of its place, one where extremes coexist in harmony. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, this is a bottle that will stand proudly among the finest expressions of Washington State, and one that will reward both immediate enjoyment and patient cellaring.

Alcohol: 14.5%

91 POINTS - "The 2022 Red Wine Red Mountain opens with a rich blend of crushed raspberries, autumnal spice and blood orange. It sweeps across the palate with ease, silky and polished in feel with red and blue fruits that slowly saturate. The 2022 takes a turn toward structure on the finish, tapering off with staining length and edgy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum." - Vinous

91 POINTS - "Full-bodied and compact, this has aromas and flavors of chocolate, cedar, baked plums and sweet spices. It’s plush and ripe, although the tannins are firm and dusty at the moment. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 17% syrah, 7% malbec and 1% cabernet franc. Try from 2027." - James Suckling

Aromas of dried cranberry, plum and fresh raspberry intertwined with spice. Ripe blue and dark fruits, nuances of herbs, cocoa spice and toasty oak. Debonair and supple in texture with polished tannins. Smart in structure.