Winemaker Notes
Blend: 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A tremendous Merlot, Duckhorn's greatest since the 2005 and one of their best ever, over many years of crafting this wine. Feels soft and smooth and yet dusty and tannic all at once, while the flavors, of red and black cherries, blackberries, licorice, minerals and spices, are vast and succulent. A great Merlot, one of the successes of the vintage.
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James Suckling
With a roasted, ripe and generous character, this wine features full-bore tannins wrapped around late-picked cherry and plum flavors. Offers clove, bay leaf, floral and menthol accents along with meaty, beefy flavors. A potpourri-like bottle bouquet adds interest.
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.