This wine is described as having a polished palate with notes of black cherry, plum, and spice, with hints of oak, vanilla, and tobacco on the nose. Reviewers highlight its seamless integration of fruit and tannins, and its long, vibrant finish.
The 2022 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot showcases a classic expression of the region's Merlot, with many critics praising its quality and balance. It's a blend primarily composed of 85% Merlot, along with 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vintage was characterized by ample rain, followed by warm, steady weather during the growing season, which allowed for good canopy development and fruit concentration, according to Duckhorn Vineyards. The wine was aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, with 40% new and 60% neutral barrels.
Aroma and flavor
- Initial notes: Floral notes and dark red berries, indicative of a classic Napa Valley Merlot.
- Fruit: Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, blueberry, black cherry, red currant.
- Other notes: Cedar, vanilla, clove, sweet baking spices, hints of oak, black licorice, and freshly ground coffee beans.
Texture and finish
- Tannins: Velvety, polished, firm, and silky.
- Texture: Lush, silky, supple, and balanced.
- Finish: Long, generous, vibrant, with notes of freshly ground coffee beans and ripe red cherry.
Critic scores
- Wilfred Wong (Wine.com): 92 points. Described as firm and delicious, with aromas and flavors of sandalwood, early summer blackberries, and hints of oak.
- Wine Spectator: 92 points. Found it vibrant and polished, with elegantly complex cherry and red currant flavors, toasty spices, and tomato leaf notes.
- James Suckling: 92 or 97 points. A dark-fruited, fleshy red with notes of ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, and licorice, with silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish. (Note: Some sources show a 92 point score from James Suckling.
Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting classic Napa Valley wines for nearly 40 years. This winemaking tradition has grown to include seven meticulously farmed Estate vineyards, located throughout the various microclimates of the Napa Valley. Focused on quality and consistency, these Estate vineyards are an essential element in making wines of distinction. Pioneering and perfecting Merlot as a premium varietal, Duckhorn Vineyards now makes several elegant Merlot and distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings that showcase its premium vineyard sites. Duckhorn Vineyards has been named one of the “Top 100 Wineries” in the world eight times by Wine & Spirits, and the 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard was named the “2017 Wine of the Year,” topping Wine Spectator’s annual list of the world’s “Top 100 Wines.”
