Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

9.11936 ratings
9.0179 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Ron R
9.2

After a period in the doldrums, I think Duckhorn is re-emerging. On day 3, this is still in a great place. Textured, balanced and complex. Plush tannins emerge along with bright acidity. This will take medium-term cellaring.

After a period in the doldrums, I think Duckhorn is re-emerging. On day 3, this is still in a great place. Textured, balanced and complex. Plush tannins emerge along with bright acidity. This will take medium-term cellaring.

Feb 18th, 2019
Michael Chelus

Blackberry, raspberry, currant, dark chocolate, vanilla and oak. Good structure and moderate tannins.

Blackberry, raspberry, currant, dark chocolate, vanilla and oak. Good structure and moderate tannins.

Sep 30th, 2018
Boris Mathiszik

Smooth and layers of fruit. Very elegant. Great with a picnic at the Wedding Bowl in La Jolla where we got married on this day, 23 years ago.

Smooth and layers of fruit. Very elegant. Great with a picnic at the Wedding Bowl in La Jolla where we got married on this day, 23 years ago.

Sep 13th, 2018
Craig Stanfield

Very solid choice from the restaurant’s half bottle list. I wish more restaurants maintained half bottles. Perfect for when traveling and eating solo at the bar.

Very solid choice from the restaurant’s half bottle list. I wish more restaurants maintained half bottles. Perfect for when traveling and eating solo at the bar.

Aug 25th, 2018
Chris Harvey

The standard-bearer

The standard-bearer

May 27th, 2018
Ron R
9.0

A good showing. Notes of coffee and jam on the nose and palate. Good tannins, but acidity tilts the ensemble in the wrong direction. Still enjoyable. Don’t bother to cellar this.

A good showing. Notes of coffee and jam on the nose and palate. Good tannins, but acidity tilts the ensemble in the wrong direction. Still enjoyable. Don’t bother to cellar this.

May 4th, 2018
Chris Zitzman

A truly surprising, rich and rounded experience. Cedar on the nose with an approach the velvety-but-well underpinned with tannins that are pronounced but born naturally into the rhythm of the wine. There’s an unusual rhythm here that leads to a memorable, cherry-smoked finish.

A truly surprising, rich and rounded experience. Cedar on the nose with an approach the velvety-but-well underpinned with tannins that are pronounced but born naturally into the rhythm of the wine. There’s an unusual rhythm here that leads to a memorable, cherry-smoked finish.

Jan 11th, 2018
Ry

Winemaker Chateau Ghetto, Cellar Stag's Leap Wine Cellars,

8.6

Not too shab. Smooth, very Merlot from Napa Valley. Definitely needs a few years to lay down.

Not too shab. Smooth, very Merlot from Napa Valley. Definitely needs a few years to lay down.

Apr 8th, 2017
John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

Great singular purity - not as aggressive as some. Rock steady choice.

Great singular purity - not as aggressive as some. Rock steady choice.

Sep 3rd, 2015
Lawrence Bernstein

Leaning to dark black fruit. But solid grades. 89

Leaning to dark black fruit. But solid grades. 89

Feb 1st, 2019