93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
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2013 Duckhorn Vineyards Carneros Napa Valley Merlot
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After falling in love with Merlot during a visit to Bordeaux, Dan Duckhorn started producing Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot in 1978. In the years since, grapes from the Napa portion of Carneros have played a pivotal role in our Napa Valley Merlot program. Influenced by the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean, Carneros is ideally suited for growing exceptional Merlot, yielding a wine with beautiful structure, velvety texture and lovely layers of plum and mulberry.
Wine Spectator
90
Wine Enthusiast
93
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Merlot; Cooperage: 100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons); Age of Barrels: 50% new, 50% second vintage
Winemaker Notes
From its flavors of raspberry, Bing cherry, cranberry relish, cocoa nibs, red licorice and lavender to its velvety texture, this wine showcases all of the qualities that we prize in great Merlot from Carneros. Firm, yet giving, on the palate, with hints of Mission fig and fennel pollen, it is a compelling wine that languidly reveals itself in layers.
Production
The 2013 harvest was early, even and excellent with all of our Estate fruit in the winery by October 10th. A warm dry spring brought an early bud break and created ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. In the weeks after Labor Day, a moderate heat event followed by a period of perfect weather created a dream scenario for end-of-season ripening. Rain was not a factor, and for the second vintage in a row, the quality of the grapes was exceptional throughout Napa Valley.
Other Notes
Released: March 2016
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2013
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Carneros
Harvest Date
September 27, 2013
Sugar
26.1° Brix
Acid
0.57 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.53
Aging
15 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
10-12 days fermentation at 80°F
Bottling Date
May 2015
Alcohol %
14.9
Wine Spectator
90
Wine Enthusiast
93
