Winemaker Notes
Crafted from both mountain and valley floor vineyards, this alluring wine embodies the rich diversity of great Napa Valley Merlot. From its velvety tannins and lively acidity to luxurious layers of plum, candied black cherry, red licorice and sweet baking spices this gracefully structured Merlot glides to a lush, lingering finish.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A dark-fruited, fleshy red with ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and hints of wet stones on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with a lively pace, showing silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish.
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Wine Spectator
Vibrant and polished, with elegantly complex cherry and red currant flavors that take on hints of toasty spices and tomato leaf as this sails toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is firm and delicious. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of sandalwood, early summer blackberries, and hints of oak. Invite your family and friends to enjoy this wine with a grilled ribeye. (Tasted: February 15, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.