Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown 2008
- Winery: Delas Frères
- Region: USA » California » Napa » Howell Mountain
- Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
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Winemaker's Notes:
The 2008 growing season has produced a particularly complex and complete expression of Napa Valley Merlot, combining ...
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W&S: 88
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Shoppers Vineyard Clifton, NJ (220 mi) |
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Food Pairings for Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown
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Shoppers Vineyard Clifton, NJ (220 mi) |
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon » |
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Premium Wine & Spirits Buffalo, NY (280 mi) |
Decoy Napa Valley Merlot 2008 / 750 ml. » |
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International Wine Shop Westport, CT (260 mi) |
Duckhorn Decoy Merlot Napa 2008 » |
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International Wine Shop Westport, CT (260 mi) |
Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley 2008 » |
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GrapesWine.com Norwalk, CT (260 mi) |
DUCKHORN MERLOT NAPA » |
User Reviews for Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown
Add your reviewMedium dark ruby color; vanilla, berry, black cherry nose; tasty, a little tight, blackberry, berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish. (86% Merlot, 9.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc; 16 mos. in 100% French oak, 20% new, 80% second vintage; 14.5% alcohol) 92+ points
External Reviews for Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown
Rating: 84/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the November 2010 issue. Merlot's herbal, slightly vegetal side is very much emphasized here, and the wine never finds the kind or degree of balancing fruit to be complete. It is a bit thin and puckery on the palate with acidity too closely aligned with undisguised tannin, and its dry, underfilled finish suggests the picture here will not improve all that much with time.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Drinkable now. Further bottle aging can improve this wine.
"Rating: 84/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the November 2010 issue. Merlot's herbal
Rating: 85/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the August 2010 issue. Even allowing that Cabernets as young as this are far from revealing all that they have, but, in this case, the wine seems a bit underfilled and its complements of green olives, dried leaves and bittersweet chocolate come without much fruity support. It begins with a spot of soft viscosity but picks up a tannic edge as its goes, and, if admittedly too young, it does not encourage great optimism about its future.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Cellar for future drinking. Wine will improve with bottle aging.
A soft, rich red, this offers sweet grape and blackberry flavors alongside a cushion of tannin. Itrsquo;s what people have come to expect from Napa Valley merlot.
Reflective of the appellation, Duckhornrsquo;s Napa Valley Merlot is blended to offer the complexity and balance of a young wine. This vintage is full-bodied, layered with fruit and well-integrated tannins that lead to a lingering finish. The aroma is dominated by ripe fruit mdash; blackberry, plum, and cherry mdash; and is accented by notes of toasted oak, vanilla, cedar, and tobacco. The flavors are rich with chocolate, blackberry, blueberry, plum, cassis, white pepper and dried herbs.
For such a large production wine, this Merlot has a lot going for it. Itrsquo;s full-bodied and rich in black currant, cherry, chocolate, violet, licorice and smoky oak flavors, with dense, intricate tannins. Probably best now through 2009, before it drops its fresh fruit.
Astringently tannic, as Duckhornrsquo;s new red wines tend to be, but very rich, very ripe, and sweet enough in fruit and oak to drink now with a nice steak. Floods the mouth with blackberries, cassis, chocolate, violets, mushu plum sauce, licorice and cedar. Best now through 2012.
Ratings & Tags for Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley Estate Grown
Winemaker's Notes:
The 2008 growing season has produced a particularly complex and complete expression of Napa Valley Merlot, combining bright, lifted red fruit elements with darker, more extracted layers. This depth is on display in the aromatics, where notes of Asian spice, red currant, plum and blueberry crisp are supported by a subtle streak of earthiness. The palate is both velvety and balanced, with flavors that echo the aromas. These flavors are held together by granular tannins and accented by oak-inspired notes of molasses and nougat.
Dietary Information: Kosher, Organic
25,280 cases produced.
Closure: Cork
Notes: 100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons) Barrel Aging: 16 Months Age of Barrels: 20% new, 80% second vintage
Chemical Analysis:
| Total Acidity: .65 grams per liter |
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