2022 Fifth Hill Red Blend, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
This wine beautifully expresses the history and prestige of one of Sonoma’s most acclaimed vineyard sites. First established in the early 1970s on the volcanic slopes of Sonoma Mountain, Pickberry Vineyard has become synonymous with depth, elegance, and age-worthy structure, producing award-winning wines that reflect both terroir and meticulous farming. This blend captures that legacy by weaving together the plushness of Merlot, the dark-fruited intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the spice and lift of varieties like Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Aromatics of blackberry, blueberry, and violet are layered with subtle notes of menthol, sage, and baking spice, leading into flavors of plum, black currant, cocoa, and a hint of dried herbs. The palate is full and harmonious, with balanced acidity, well-integrated tannins, and a long, polished finish. Both approachable and cellar-worthy, this mixed red showcases the power and finesse for which Pickberry is known, pairing beautifully with roasted lamb, braised short ribs, or rich vegetarian stews, while promising further complexity with time in bottle. The wine is perfect to cellar or pop open for a nice steak!
Specs
Vintage: 2022
Varietals: 55% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 15% Petite Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Pickberry Vineyard
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain
Harvest Date: 13 September 2022
Harvest Sugar: 23.5°
Alcohol: 13.7%
TA: 5.5 g/L
pH: 3.61
Fermentation: After a two-day cold soak, short fermentations with regular aerative pumpovers and delastage. Then gently pressed into oak barrels.
Aging: 24 months, 30% new French oak.
Production: 220 cases (12 x 750 mL)
2022 Fifth Hill Merlot, Oak Shade Ranch, Sonoma Mountain
This Merlot comes from 800 ft. in elevation on Sonoma Mountain. This red has a deep, dense ruby-red color with hints of purple at the rim. It has an intense and complex bouquet of ripe dark fruits like blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum. Secondary aromas of cedar and vanilla. On the palate, this is a full-bodied wine with black fruit notes and well-integrated tannins. This provides a good structure and grip, but also provides a balanced acidity. The wine finishes with smooth dark chocolate and earthy notes adding depth and persisting flavors. The wine is perfect to cellar or pop open for a nice steak!
Specs
Vintage: 2022
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Oak Shade Ranch
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain
Harvest Date: September 2022
Harvest Sugar: 24.1°
Alcohol: 14.8%
TA: 6.11 g/L
pH: 3.58
Fermentation: After a two-day cold soak, short fermentations with regular aerative pumpovers and delastage. Then gently pressed into oak barrels.
Aging: 18 months, 30% new French Oak
Production: 138 cases (12 x 750 mL)
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x - 2022 Fifth Hill Red Blend, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
2x - 2022 Fifth Hill Merlot, Oak Shade Ranch, Sonoma Mountain
Case:
6x - 2022 Fifth Hill Red Blend, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
6x - 2022 Fifth Hill Merlot, Oak Shade Ranch, Sonoma Mountain
Family owned - and named after their daughter, the fifth member of the Hill family- Ned and Erika Hill started Fifth Hill wines to make truly farm to glass wines -from only the best farms. As multi-generation Sonoma grape growers, wine is more than a past time, it is their full time -a way of life.
The Fifth Hill label was created to bottle wine from some of the most celebrated and unique vineyards in their vineyard management portfolio. The sites are so unique that each bottle celebrates the distinct characteristics of the soil, weather and landscape.
Most annual harvests provide only enough grapes for 300 cases or less of wine production. This small-lot production makes every bottle, glass and sip special in its own right.
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Full disclosure up front: I’m coming off a cold, so my nose isn’t exactly at peak performance. Take the aromatics section with that in mind. I did my best.
This round brought a 2022 Fifth Hill “Pickberry” from Sonoma Mountain - a red blend with no varietal breakdown listed on the bottle, which is either mysterious or just confident. Either way, into the glass it goes.
Pop n pour:
Deep garnet with good clarity. Clean and inviting in the glass.
Nose:
Even through the congestion, this one showed up. Anise and leather lead, followed by strawberry, cherry, a nice cola note, and darker red fruits in the background. Solid aromatics for a stuffy-nosed pour.
First sip:
This wine drinks juicy - the acidity is present and lively without being sharp. Tannins are there but polished and undemanding. Dark fruits carry most of the flavor profile, with touches of leather, cola, and baking spice woven in. At 14.9% alcohol, it’s on the higher end, but it integrates well and doesn’t call attention to itself. Nothing out of place, nothing fighting for attention - just a well-balanced, smooth blend that earns its finish.
Not sweet. Not showy. Just a really enjoyable red that would drink well on its own or alongside a good meal.
Given the Sonoma Mountain appellation and how well this is put together, I’d be curious where it lands on price. Worth looking into.
Thanks as always for the excuse to open something good, sinus drama and all.
Fifth Hill Mixed Reds
2022 Fifth Hill Red Blend, Pickberry Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
Specs
2022 Fifth Hill Merlot, Oak Shade Ranch, Sonoma Mountain
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not available on winery website, $648/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 8 - Tuesday, Jun 9
Fifth Hill Mixed Reds
4 bottles for $79.99 $20/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $184.99 $15.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2022 Fifth Hill Red Blend
2022 Fifth Hill Merlot
Hey there, Casemates!
Full disclosure up front: I’m coming off a cold, so my nose isn’t exactly at peak performance. Take the aromatics section with that in mind. I did my best.
This round brought a 2022 Fifth Hill “Pickberry” from Sonoma Mountain - a red blend with no varietal breakdown listed on the bottle, which is either mysterious or just confident. Either way, into the glass it goes.
Pop n pour:
Deep garnet with good clarity. Clean and inviting in the glass.
Nose:
Even through the congestion, this one showed up. Anise and leather lead, followed by strawberry, cherry, a nice cola note, and darker red fruits in the background. Solid aromatics for a stuffy-nosed pour.
First sip:
This wine drinks juicy - the acidity is present and lively without being sharp. Tannins are there but polished and undemanding. Dark fruits carry most of the flavor profile, with touches of leather, cola, and baking spice woven in. At 14.9% alcohol, it’s on the higher end, but it integrates well and doesn’t call attention to itself. Nothing out of place, nothing fighting for attention - just a well-balanced, smooth blend that earns its finish.
Not sweet. Not showy. Just a really enjoyable red that would drink well on its own or alongside a good meal.
Given the Sonoma Mountain appellation and how well this is put together, I’d be curious where it lands on price. Worth looking into.
Thanks as always for the excuse to open something good, sinus drama and all.
-timnath