Duckhorn, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2009

The Three Palms vineyard was the first truly big, recognizable name in the era of California Merlot, a history that stretches back barely three decades. Before Duckhorn and Three Palms, Merlot had been thought to be little more than a pleasant filler for the big, important Cabernet Sauvignons of the Napa Valley. Never mind that it was the signature grape of the Bordeaux Right Bank, and that Chateau Petrus (nearly always 100 percent Merlot) was the most expensive wine in the world. Duckhorn and Three Palms changed all of that, and both are still going strong. Located in the warm upper reaches of the Napa Valley, close to Calistoga, Three Palms defies the conventional wisdom that Merlot needs cooler temperatures to do its best. The bale loam soils of Three Palms deliver a massively structured Merlot that is rich and layered. This vintage also exhibits the telltale Three Palms earthy minerality. The fruit profile trends to plum, black cherry and blackberry supported by chalky tannins and firm acidity. This is a brilliant Merlot from one of the greatest sites for Merlot in North America.