Holding up remarkably well for a 14+ year old merlot, this is a classic from Duckhorn. I've always thought their merlots from the 90s and early 2000s were benchmarks, and this Howell Mountain offering confirms it. Still has impressive fruit on the nose, there are beautiful secondary flavors that evolve after a little bit of time in the glass. Definitely past peak - if you have this I wouldn't let it sit too much longer - but it is just a great example of an older merlot from one of the reference points in Napa.
Holding up remarkably well for a 14+ year old merlot, this is a classic from Duckhorn. I've always thought their merlots from the 90s and early 2000s were benchmarks, and this Howell Mountain offering confirms it. Still has impressive fruit on the nose, there are beautiful secondary flavors that evolve after a little bit of time in the glass. Definitely past peak - if you have this I wouldn't let it sit too much longer - but it is just a great example of an older merlot from one of the reference points in Napa.
Jan 5th, 2016
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
