Expect ripe dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, cedar, vanilla, mocha, and refined oak spice with full body and ripe, polished tannins. The 2021 Napa vintage was excellent.
- Varietal
- Merlot (typically with small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec)
- Region
- USA / California / Napa Valley
- Body
- Full
- Style
- dry red, polished, oak-aged, classic Napa Merlot
The producer
Duckhorn Vineyards was founded in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in St. Helena, with Merlot as the founding focus. The estate is widely credited with elevating Napa Merlot to international prestige and remains the most recognized name in California Merlot.
What critics say
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot consistently receives strong reviews and is widely regarded as the benchmark American Merlot, defining the polished, oak-aged Napa style.
Pairing
Grilled lamb chops, beef short rib, mushroom risotto