2022 Estate Founder's Reserve
Tasting notes
This once in a lifetime wine is a vibrant medium ruby in color. Immediately heady aromas of violets, clove, raspberry, baking spice, hints of blueberry and graphite overwhelm your senses. On your first sip, big blackberry notes come through, followed by red currants, sweet plums, all spice, with hints of leather, forest floor and our famous estate minerality. This wine has a beautiful acidity, integrated tannins, lengthy finish and a rich mouthfeel.
Barrel Regimen (30 Months): 100% French Oak, 74% New Oak
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal | Blend |
| Varietal Composition | 29% Merlot, 29% Malbec, 29% Cab Sauvignon, 13% Syrah |
| Appellation | Lake Chelan |
| Vineyard | Tsillan Cellars |
| Harvest Date | 10/17/2022 |
| Acid | 6.1 g/L |
| PH | 3.65 |
| Residual Sugar | Dry |
| Alcohol | 15.30% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 03/26/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 350 |
Double Gold 96 points - 2026 SavorNW
Gold - 2026 San Fransisco Chronicle
Gold 92 points - 2026 Seattle Wine Awards
Silver - 2025 SIP Magazine
Gold - 2026 Pacific NW
2022 Tsillan Cellars ‘Founder’s Reserve’ Red Wine - The 2022 ‘Founder’s Reserve’ comes entirely from the Tsillan Estate Vineyard and has equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec with 13% Syrah. This is soft and elegant stuff with rich cassis and anise tones alongside graphite, and shades of sandalwood. Drink 2025-2035- 92 points – Owen Bargreen
2022 Tsillan Cellars Founders Reserve Red Wine, Lake Chelan blends 29% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, and 13% Syrah, spending 30 months in more than half new French oak to shape its layered profile. A brooding brick-toned core introduces aromatics of boysenberry, crushed blueberry, sweet baking spice, milk chocolate shavings, and a subtle lift of candied tangerine peel. The palate leans into darker fruit with blackberry and plum tones accented by cracked black pepper and bitter herbal nuances, carried on a medium-bodied frame with moderate acidity and chalky tannins that provide structure. 350 cases made. 92 points – Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
This is a blend of equal parts Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon (29% each), finished off with a healthy splash of Syrah (13%). It was aged 30 months in French oak (74% new). The aromas are alluring, with notes of fresh brewed coffee, dark chocolate, baking spice, and dark fruit. The palate is ripe and full-bodied, mixing fruit and barrel, with creamy-feeling dark fruit flavors and plentiful spice accents. Oak notes take the lead on the finish. It’s decadent. Give it a long decant. 91 points – Sean Sullivan
Winemaker - Garrett Grubbs
Vineyard Manager - Nic Stevens
