92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2008 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot
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Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our Estate Vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley.
Wine Enthusiast
92
Connoisseurs' Guide
91
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 86% Merlot, 9.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc; Cooperage: 100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons); Age of Barrels: 20% new, 80% second vintage
Winemaker 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.
Production
Though the 2008 growing season presented certain challenges—from early frosts to drought conditions—a meticulous approach to viticulture and sorting yielded small crops with good concentration, highlighting soft, appealing tannins for our red varietals and bright acidity for our white grapes. A long, moderately cool summer led to a harvest that commenced in mid-August and concluded in early November. This relatively relaxed pace allowed us to pick in numerous passes to ensure quality, often focusing on individual rows or a single side of the vines.
Other Notes
Released: January 2011
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2008
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Napa Valley
Harvest Date
September 2 — October 31, 2008
Sugar
25.5° Brix
Acid
0.65 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.52
Aging
16 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
8-10 days fermentation at 80°F
Bottling Date
May 2010
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
92
Connoisseurs' Guide
91
