Aged 15 months in French barrels (40% new barrels). Standard Merlot from Napa Valley. Smooth on the palate, with soft tannins and a long finish. A rich, full-bodied wine with notes of ripe plum.
Duckhorn Vineyards has been making wine from Napa Valley grapes for nearly 40 years.
Duckhorn's Merlot is a blend of lots made from grapes sourced from our own vineyards and purchased from some of Napa Valley's top growers.
The resulting wine is incredibly rich, expressing all the characteristics of the broader Napa Valley's diverse microclimates and unique soils.
Vintage Information
Due to the warm winter and less than 50% of the usual amount of precipitation, we took early measures against the drought, such as encouraging new shoots, careful management of cover crops, targeted irrigation, and pruning with consideration of the load on the grapes. Buds sprouted from mid-March to early April and flowered in mid-May. The favorable growing season promoted excellent ripening. Harvesting began with Sauvignon Blanc in mid-August, followed soon by Chardonnay and Merlot, and the remaining Bordeaux varieties were all harvested by October 15th. The drought resulted in low yields, but the grapes were small and had a concentrated flavor, resulting in excellent grapes. The white wine had ideal acidity and a fresh tropical flavor, and the red wine was surprisingly concentrated, resulting in a wine with great depth, complexity and juiciness.
Tasting Comments
This charming Merlot, made from vineyards in both the mountains and the valley floor, embodies the rich diversity of Napa Valley. It starts with a velvety mouthfeel and lively acidity, before sliding into a lush, lingering finish with layers of prune, candied black cherry, licorice, and sweet spices such as cinnamon and clove. This Merlot has a graceful structure and supple tannins.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Merlot 76%
Blend: 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Vineyards: Oak Knoll, Carneros, Calistoga, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak
Winemaker: Rnee Ary
Aging: 15 months in French barrels (40% new barrels)
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.5%
JAN: 669576019283