Duckhorn Vineyards
Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of eating out in Chicago on the river and enjoyed this 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot. From Napa Valley this blend is 88% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Everything is all outside, no dining in and social distancing is a must, though masks are optional out doors and waitstaff has to wear the masks.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, black plums, tobacco, chocolate, rose petals and dusty earth.
On the palate there is beautiful fruit, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, cocoa, licorice, red currant, vanilla, spice and dusty earth.
The wine is medium to full bodied that has a creamy, silky smooth mouth feel with medium to medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit finish. A very enjoyable bottle of wine that went very well with my NY Strip. I hope everyone is well and healthy? Please stay safe and continued health. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of eating out in Chicago on the river and enjoyed this 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot. From Napa Valley this blend is 88% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Everything is all outside, no dining in and social distancing is a must, though masks are optional out doors and waitstaff has to wear the masks.
On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, black plums, tobacco, chocolate, rose petals and dusty earth.
On the palate there is beautiful fruit, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, cocoa, licorice, red currant, vanilla, spice and dusty earth.
The wine is medium to full bodied that has a creamy, silky smooth mouth feel with medium to medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit finish. A very enjoyable bottle of wine that went very well with my NY Strip. I hope everyone is well and healthy? Please stay safe and continued health. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Here is a beautiful Merlot for #MerlotThursday.
Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.
Strong fruity nose with black plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, dark chocolates, coke, tobacco and alcohol.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, bitter herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Spicy finish with medium tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable, although very young. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Tangy, spicy and tasty. Nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. A nice sipping wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a beef burger and fries.
A blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$45.
Here is a beautiful Merlot for #MerlotThursday.
Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.
Strong fruity nose with black plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, dark chocolates, coke, tobacco and alcohol.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates, bitter herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Spicy finish with medium tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Napa Merlot is always enjoyable, although very young. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).
Tangy, spicy and tasty. Nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. A nice sipping wine.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a beef burger and fries.
A blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Malbec. Aged for 15 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$45.
Solid as all the other Duckhorn Merlots. At the end of the day, this is the best Merlot producer in America. Love the texture and the fine balance between fruit and minerals. Subtle tannins. Elegant.
Solid as all the other Duckhorn Merlots. At the end of the day, this is the best Merlot producer in America. Love the texture and the fine balance between fruit and minerals. Subtle tannins. Elegant.
1 person found it helpfulAug 8th, 2020
Not as smooth as other merlots.
Not as smooth as other merlots.
Mar 9th, 2022
Nariz: mora, arandano, ciruela, vainilla, cassis, algo de tierra
Boca: Tanino M, Acidez M/M-, Alcohol M+
Nariz: mora, arandano, ciruela, vainilla, cassis, algo de tierra
Boca: Tanino M, Acidez M/M-, Alcohol M+
Good, rich, robust and smooth. Not sure if it is worth $35-$40 dollars though. Would be a great value at under $30.
Good, rich, robust and smooth. Not sure if it is worth $35-$40 dollars though. Would be a great value at under $30.
Nov 5th, 2021
What can you say. . . A definite and continuous classic. While Merlot is not my number one red wine I will always grab this bottle!
What can you say. . . A definite and continuous classic. While Merlot is not my number one red wine I will always grab this bottle!
Sep 21st, 2021