Duckhorn Napa Merlot 2006

Merlot

from Napa Valley, California

(5)

ratings pedigree (past vintages):

2008

2007

2006

2001

2000

1998

Price: $49.99

(this vintage is sold out)

The 2009 vintage is available for: $49.99



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Item No. 96696

red wine style:

winemaker's notes:

Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our Estate Vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley. The final wine is a rich and cohesive expression of the entire Napa Valley, reflecting the varied microclimates and soils of this unique appellation.

Our Napa Valley Merlot captures the balanced character of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the entire Napa Valley appellation. The product of a standout Merlot vintage, the Merlot in 2006 offered an excellent expression of the varietal and required very little blending with other grapes—with only small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot used to add subtle complexity. This Merlot offers a rich texture, ripe tannins and seamlessly integrated French oak. The bouquet displays lush layers of ripe plum and bright raspberry underscored by notes of sandalwood, walnut and spice. On the palate, polished flavors of red cherry and raspberry are accented by an enticing layer of graham cracker piecrust.

96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot

critical acclaim:

"Black-garnet hue. Lovely mixed aromas of blueberry, raspberry and kirsch. A rush of black cherry fruit on entry laced with flinty mineral accents and fine-grain, youthful tannins. Creamy fruit marks the finish. Taut in structure and cellar-worthy. A prime example of power and finesse: classic Napa fruit, true to its varietal character, crafted into a memorable, prototype Merlot."

96 Points

The Wine News

"... very rich, very ripe, and sweet enough in fruit and oak to drink now with a nice steak. Floods the mouth with blackberries, cassis, chocolate, violets, mushu plum sauce, licorice and cedar. Best now through 2012."

92 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Deep garnet-purple colour. Warm plum and blackberry aromas on the nose with a touch of dark chocolate, cloves and vanilla. Full body, medium to high acid and lots of blackberry and spice flavour. Soft to medium level of velvety tannins. Long finish going a bit earthy. Tasted July 2009."

90 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Duckhorn grabs the brass ring again with this ripe and luscious effort whose classic sweet cherry aromas are laced with complex notes of cassis and creamy oak. On the palate, the wine is silky, supple and balanced and is nicely packed with bright red cherry fruit. Full in body but never heavy in any regard and noticeably tannic without being hard, this one is drinkable now yet can be cellared for three to five years. "

90 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide

user reviews:

The top 3 most liked reviews for this wine.

Elizabeth0417 (read all my reviews)

rating (9/28/2010):

Love it! Very smooth

Roni Ramirez - Burbank, CA (read all my reviews)

rating (9/28/2010):

I''m no wine connoisseur but I am picky about my red wine. If I'm going to drink a glass, I want it to taste good. This one hits the pallet perfectly.

guapitomark - Laguna Niguel, CA (read all my reviews)

rating (9/27/2010):

I've seen the good ratings on this Merlot and wanted to see what all the fuss was about! I brought this wine to a friend's place for Thanksgiving. She was nice enough to open it for both of us to taste. This Merlot is supple and packs cherry fruit flavor and has a lengthy finish. A truly enjoyable wine. At $50, it isn't cheap, but it's worth every penny. I'm just glad I got two bottles - looking forward to opening the second one soon!

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