Duckhorn and merlot are practically synonymous. Duckhorn has championed merlot since the
1970s and kept that drumbeat even when merlot was the ridicule of the wine industry. What Duckhorn has long excelled at is balancing fruit, oak, tannin and acidity and that is perfectly reflected in this 2018. You’ll find black cherry, blueberry, plum, boysenberry, huckleberry along with light herbal notes, vanilla, chocolate covered raspberry, and moderate tannins. Made of 82% merlot, 16% cabernet sauvignon, 1.4% cabernet franc, 0.4% petit verdot, and 0.2% malbec, it was aged 15 months in 100% French oak 40% of which was new. The grapes came from distinct regions within Napa including Carneros, Oak Knoll, Calistoga and Yountville. This is a merlot to be proud of, one to share with others and celebrate the grape itself.
ORIGIN: Napa Valley
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PRICE: $56 (750 ml)
SCORE: 93 POINTS
