2022 Riise Tempranillo Jovian
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Tasting notes
The deepest and most punchy wine in the Riise portfolio is the 2022 Jovian, which performed exceptionally well in this vintage. It opens with a bouquet of red and blue fruits supplemented by graphite and herbal notes, set against a youthfully woody backdrop and luscious tones of black licorice. The palate is svelte and dense yet retains an impressively seamless and tensile energy and sense of control, despite its substantial frame. It closes with a dark, lush finish of exceptional purity and a taut, upright posture framed by refined tannins. It's a blend of 60% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Graciano and 1% Petite Sirah.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
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Based on Tempranillo with smaller amounts of other varieties from the Catapult, Paderewski, Onx, and Four Hearts vineyards, the 2022 Jovian offers a deep ruby/plum hue as well as notes of currants, spicy wood, dried herbs, and hints of chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied, it's broad and layered on the palate, with a seamless mouthfeel and incredibly polished tannins. Drink this drop-dead gorgeous beauty any time over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040. Now going on its fifth vintage, this remarkable startup-like endeavor is the brainchild of Juan Mercado, formerly of Realm Cellars, with the wines made by Anthony Yount. The focus here is on Rhône and Bordeaux blends from top sites across the west side of Paso, and the lineup is stacked with truly world-class wines. Quickly going over the lineup: the Doyen is built around Grenache, with varying amounts of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and at times, Bordeaux varieties. It’s usually the most open-knit and charming of the lineup, with purity, polish, and a layered profile. Peace is the Syrah-driven flagship, with plenty of structure and depth. It’s always a bigger, richer wine that should have plenty of ageability. The Jovian is based on Tempranillo blended with a mix of varieties depending on the year. It’s always slightly more savory and has plenty of classic Tempranillo tannins. Atticus comes from the Paderewski Vineyard and tends to be Grenache-heavy, with Mourvèdre playing a background role. A new cuvée, the Arbor release, leans heavily on Tempranillo and Petit Verdot, and it too is more structured. The Shadow Canyon is another new release in the lineup; it’s all Syrah from the namesake vineyard, and it’s an absolute gem of a wine that readers should snatch up. Lastly, the Fermin is typically a barrel selection of Syrah and Petite Sirah. It’s one for all of Juan’s Napa friends and is always blockbuster stuff that delivers both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure. Across the board, these are absolutely brilliant, singular wines that you can put up with the best out there.