Aged 18 months (75% new barrels). Shortly after Duckhorn was founded, this Three Palms Merlot made the brand famous. The vineyard is located on an alluvial fan formed by runoff from Selby Creek in the northeastern part of Napa Valley. The vineyard became the company's own vineyard in May 2015, and the 2014 VTG was ranked first in Wine Spectator's 2017 Top 100. In 2020, the 2017 VTG was ranked TOP 15.
Three Palms Vineyard is legendary, known as one of Napa's finest single vineyard Merlot producers.
We have been producing wine from this vineyard since the 1978 vintage when we were founded, and have had an exclusive contract to sell grapes since 2011.
Then, in May 2015, we fulfilled a long-held dream and purchased the field, making it our own.
As its name suggests, the vineyard is planted with three palm trees and is located south of Calistoga. The poor, well-drained soil forces the roots of the vines to dig deep underground in search of nutrients.
It produces red fruit flavors and minerality, giving the wine elegance and longevity.
This is a great wine that serves as a benchmark for New World Merlot.
The 2014 vintage was selected alongside Petrus as one of the "Six World Famous Merlots" in the April 17, 2017 issue of Decanter Magazine Online.
Vintage Information
Overall, the 2020 growing season was excellent. After a relatively dry winter, bud break began early and the weather was mild throughout the spring and summer. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in pure, lively flavors and supple, thick textures. Hot weather in mid-August helped the white wine grapes ripen, resulting in a great harvest. Rising temperatures in late September helped the red wine grapes ripen for the final time, and the harvest was advanced to avoid the wildfires that occurred at the same time. Duckhorn thoroughly inspects and selects grapes to ensure quality, rejecting any that do not meet our standards. As a result, no grapes affected by the wildfires were included in the finished wine. Meticulous selection resulted in a small yield, but a wine with beautiful aromas, soft and elegant texture, lively fruit, and rich, complex flavors.
Tasting Comments
An elegant, profound and complex wine with aromas of fresh cranberry, raspberry, crushed rose petals and graham cracker. On the palate, seductive fig and cocoa are layered with berry flavors, while the long finish reveals refined mineral nuances.
Field information
Located on the northeast side of Napa Valley, south of Calistoga, it is one of the last areas in the valley to experience fog.
The site is located on an alluvial fan formed by sediment carried by Selby Creek, and soil testing reveals that the soil is poor and full of rocks all the way to the bottom.
This allows the vines to send their roots deep into the ground. The rocks absorb the heat of the sun during the day and protect the vines from frost at night.
Duckhorn has been producing Merlot from grapes from this vineyard since the first vintage in 1978.
In 2011, they signed an exclusive contract, and in 2015, they finally purchased the vineyard and made it their own.
Vintage: 2020
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Merlot 98%
Blend Variety: Malbec 2%
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Vineyard: Three Palms Vineyard
Note: Limited quantity available
Winemaker: Rnee Ary
Aging: 18 months in French barrels (75% new)
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.5%
JAN: 669576018521