Duckhorn Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
Duckhorn is always solid. But this ā20 vintage struggled a bit out of the bottle. Overly tannic, unusual for this wine. I may have run into an off bottle. But with enough air the uniqueness of this great Merlot still came around. To be revisited.
Duckhorn is always solid. But this ā20 vintage struggled a bit out of the bottle. Overly tannic, unusual for this wine. I may have run into an off bottle. But with enough air the uniqueness of this great Merlot still came around. To be revisited.
Apr 10th, 2023
Blend of 80% Merlot, 17% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with oak and mineral character. Good to drink now, will age some.
Blend of 80% Merlot, 17% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with oak and mineral character. Good to drink now, will age some.
Dec 27th, 2022
Wow. Still so alive.
Wow. Still so alive.
Oct 11th, 2022
Always good and Iām a big fan of Duckhorn Merlot. But this one tasted a little more mass produced. Could need some time to blossom.
Always good and Iām a big fan of Duckhorn Merlot. But this one tasted a little more mass produced. Could need some time to blossom.
Jan 7th, 2022Duckhorn! š¦ Of course the new vintage is just as good as all the previous ones. Even the run of the mill version from the greatest Merlot maker in California sets a standard. Wonderful. Happy Labor Day weekend!
Duckhorn! š¦ Of course the new vintage is just as good as all the previous ones. Even the run of the mill version from the greatest Merlot maker in California sets a standard. Wonderful. Happy Labor Day weekend!
Sep 4th, 2021Blend of 77% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% other. deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruits and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of juicy blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with espresso, oak and mineral tang. Drink now.
Blend of 77% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% other. deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruits and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of juicy blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with espresso, oak and mineral tang. Drink now.
Jul 7th, 2021Blend of 82% Merlot, 16% Cab Sauv, 1.4% Cab Franc, .4% Petit Verdot & .2% Malbec, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with oak and mineral tang. Perfect to drink now.
Blend of 82% Merlot, 16% Cab Sauv, 1.4% Cab Franc, .4% Petit Verdot & .2% Malbec, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cacao notes. Fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with oak and mineral tang. Perfect to drink now.
Jul 7th, 2021
A perfect example of an excellent Merlot!
A perfect example of an excellent Merlot!
Dec 25th, 2020
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of eating out in Chicago on the river and enjoyed this 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot. From Napa Valley this blend is 88% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Everything is all outside, no dining in and social distancing is a must, though masks are optional out doors and waitstaff has to wear the masks.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, black plums, tobacco, chocolate, rose petals and dusty earth.
On the palate there is beautiful fruit, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, cocoa, licorice, red currant, vanilla, spice and dusty earth.
The wine is medium to full bodied that has a creamy, silky smooth mouth feel with medium to medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit finish. A very enjoyable bottle of wine that went very well with my NY Strip. I hope everyone is well and healthy? Please stay safe and continued health. Nostrovia! š·š·š·š·
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of eating out in Chicago on the river and enjoyed this 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot. From Napa Valley this blend is 88% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Everything is all outside, no dining in and social distancing is a must, though masks are optional out doors and waitstaff has to wear the masks.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, black plums, tobacco, chocolate, rose petals and dusty earth.
On the palate there is beautiful fruit, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, cocoa, licorice, red currant, vanilla, spice and dusty earth.
The wine is medium to full bodied that has a creamy, silky smooth mouth feel with medium to medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit finish. A very enjoyable bottle of wine that went very well with my NY Strip. I hope everyone is well and healthy? Please stay safe and continued health. Nostrovia! š·š·š·š·
Here is a beautiful Merlot for #MerlotThursday.
Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.
Strong fruity nose with black plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, dark chocolates, coke, tobacco and alcohol.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, bitter herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Spicy finish with medium tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable, although very young. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Tangy, spicy and tasty. Nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. A nice sipping wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a beef burger and fries.
A blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$45.
Here is a beautiful Merlot for #MerlotThursday.
Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.
Strong fruity nose with black plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, dark chocolates, coke, tobacco and alcohol.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, bitter herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Spicy finish with medium tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable, although very young. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Tangy, spicy and tasty. Nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. A nice sipping wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a beef burger and fries.
A blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$45.