Merlot masters Duckhorn celebrate their fortieth harvest with the 2017 vintage, and their expanded lineup of regional and vineyard designations of their flagship grape offer something for just about anyone who walks through the doors. Carneros is on the San Francisco Bay side of the meeting of Napa and Sonoma valleys and is a cool, almost sea level site that give Merlot a very different twist. Cool climate acidity and optimal ripeness come together nicely here, letting some of Merlot’s attractive herbal qualities speak alongside the black and blue fruit character. There’s plenty of backbone for aging here, so decant well if you decide to go in early.
Duckhorn Vineyards, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2017
By Rich Cook