Today's Wine Review
2023 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot "Napa Valley"
Winery: Duckhorn Vineyards
Vintage: 2023
Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"
Wine Category: Merlot
Grape blend: 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec & 1% Cabernet Franc
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Napa Valley
State or country: CA
Price: $58
Cases produced: 95,000
KWG Score: 93.6 (based on 3 reviews)
Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (95)
Review date: September 3, 2026
Wine Review: This opaque and deep ruby colored Merlot from Duckhorn is Excellent! It opens with a blueberry and cherry-cola bouquet with hints of vanilla and brownie batter. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced, smooth, and supple. The flavor profile is a black cherry and blackberry blend with notes of stone dust, blueberry, and vanilla bean. We also detected hints of dried herbs, oak, and black pepper. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and moderate dusty tannins build-up and stick around for a very long time. We would pair this impressive Merlot with Roy’s ribeye steak. Enjoy - KWGTP
Winemaker Notes: A true expression of Napa Valley Merlot, this wine opens with vibrant aromas of red currant, raspberry, black plum, and baking spices, accented by notes of rhubarb crumble, cardamom, and milk chocolate. The palate is silky and refined, with fine-grained tannins carrying layers of plum, cherry, and cocoa powder. A bright, elegant finish highlights the wine’s balance and graceful structure.
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