Duckhorn Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, light cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spices and light chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Merlot from Napa Valley is still very young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and tangy. Showing nice complexity already, tangy and interesting.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 93+ point wine.
Wine Spectator 92 points.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.
A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 15 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$45.
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, light cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spices and light chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Merlot from Napa Valley is still very young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and tangy. Showing nice complexity already, tangy and interesting.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 93+ point wine.
Wine Spectator 92 points.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.
A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 15 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$45.
Plum and mushroom with a touch of pepper. Good but a little earthy for me.
Plum and mushroom with a touch of pepper. Good but a little earthy for me.
Aug 2nd, 2026
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cardamom and chocolate. On the palate, currant, plum and spice. Highly tannic.
Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cardamom and chocolate. On the palate, currant, plum and spice. Highly tannic.
Jul 5th, 2026