2017 Davis Estates Merlot

Forming a little over 10 years ago, Davis Estates turns out excellent wines based in the Napa Valley. Comprised of 100% merlot, this wine offers rich and concentrated fruit, more compote driven with blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry, plum, cocoa powder and a heavy toasting of oak. The oak is a little strong, however it is nonetheless balanced within this wine, having been aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. The results are mild tannins and a rich opulent feel making this extremely enjoyable to drink. 796 cases

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Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$75.00USD

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2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

Vintage:

2017

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Current Price:

$105.00USD

There’s a belief I have that if you mess up any fruit from Howell Mountain there’s something wrong with you. Duckhorn has consistently produced an extraordinary Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2017 is no exception. Comprised of all Cabernet with 10% Merlot, this is a softer version than in years past, these tannins are a little more mild, the acidity a little brighter, and the fruit opulent and rich. Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry, lead off and the fruit is a tad more expressive than in years past. It was aged 24 months, 18 of which were new French oak.

Cuvaison 2019 Merlot Arcilla

Vintage:

2019

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A+

Current Price:

$70.00USD

Though Cuvaison is best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they have an impressive overall portfolio of wine that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Case in point, their 2019 Merlot is nothing short of outstanding. This is a medium bodied wine that drinks like a full-bodied wine with lots of swagger. Black cherry notes dominate along with plum, blackberry, light blueberry, cocoa powder and fresh sawed cedar wood. This is 100% Merlot and shows that with excellent fruit, you can make a Merlot that doesn’t need the addition of other grapes to make it better.

Duckhorn 2019 Three Palms Merlot

Vintage:

2019

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Current Price:

$115.00USD

Three Palms is unquestionably the most well-known and famous Merlot in the United States. That Duckhorn has made a commitment to Merlot for decades is to be applauded. This iteration beautifully spells out why they have made that commitment. The deftly handled balance of fruit, acidity, tannin and oak is simply marvelous. Black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry and huckleberry lead off, followed by back notes of black cherry, plum, anise, and cocoa powder. Aged for 18 months in predominately new French oak. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

Cakebread 2019 Merlot

Vintage:

2019

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Current Price:

$70.00USD

Soft and supple, there is a lovely viscosity to this Merlot. You’ll find notes of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry and huckleberry surrounded by light cedar, raspberry compote and violets. The acidity allows for the fruit to shine through while maintaining structure for the wine. The tannins are fairly mild but this goes a long way on the palate. The judicious use of oak also helps to support the darker fruit of this wine. This is a soft, shy wine, not an aggressive over the top in your face Merlot.

Duckhorn 2018 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:

2018

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Current Price:

$105.00USD

I’ve long held the belief that it’s pretty hard to mess up Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain fruit. The vines there are simply exceptional. So in the very capable hands of Duckhorn, the fruit in this 2018 shines. It’s all Cabernet with 8% Merlot added. There’s a lovely elegance to this wine, a steadiness that combines all the elements, oak, fruit, wood and tannin together. Not one element outperforms the other. The soft fruit includes noticeable black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, mocha, huckleberry and the ever-present but limited vanilla and caramel.

2017 Davis Estates Merlot

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2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

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Duckhorn 2019 Three Palms Merlot

Cakebread 2019 Merlot

Duckhorn 2018 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon