Robb Report Names 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot the “Best Napa Valley Merlot”

When Robb Report set out to identify the finest expressions of Merlot across the globe, from Bordeaux’s Right Bank and Tuscany to New Zealand and California,one bottling stood above the rest as the Best Napa Valley Merlot: the 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard Merlot.

Featured in Robb Report’s October 2026 global guide, "The 9 Best Merlot From Around the World to Buy Right Now," wine critics Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen spotlighted the 2022 vintage as one of Napa Valley’s premier single-vineyard expressions.

Quick Facts: 2022 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot

• Accolade: Best Napa Valley Merlot - Robb Report (October 2026)

• Appellation: Napa Valley, California (Calistoga)

• Varietal Composition: 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc

• Aging Regimen: 18 months in French oak (75% new, 25% neutral)

• Aromas: Rose petal, red currant, fennel frond, and red raspberry

• Palate: Fig, cranberry, cherry, and cocoa with velvety structure

What Makes Three Palms Vineyard a Benchmark for Napa Valley Merlot?

First harvested by Duckhorn Vineyards in 1978—just two years after Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded the winery in 1976—Three Palms Vineyard has spent nearly five decades proving that Napa Valley Merlot can rival the world’s greatest collectible reds.

Located on the warm, alluvial fan at the base of the Dutch Henry Canyon in Calistoga, the vineyard’s rocky, volcanic soils force the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients. The result is small, concentrated berries that deliver remarkable structure, mineral tension, and age-worthy complexity.

In their review of the 2022 vintage, Robb Report praised the wine’s layered aromatics of rose petal, red currant, fennel frond, and red raspberry, noting how they evolve across the palate into rich, nuanced flavors of fig, cranberry, cherry, and cocoa. Aged for 18 months in 75% new French oak and 25% neutral oak, the wine balances lush fruit intensity with fine-grained, suede-like tannins.

How to Enjoy & Pair the 2022 Three Palms Merlot

Whether you are opening a bottle for a holiday celebration or laying it down in your cellar, a few simple steps will ensure the 2022 vintage shows at its peak:

• Give It Air: Because the 2022 vintage is still within five years of harvest, decanting for 60 minutes prior to serving softens its youthful tannins and unlocks its floral and red-fruit aromatics.

• At the Table: Its vibrant cranberry and cherry notes alongside subtle cocoa spice make it an effortless match for herb-crusted roast turkey, rack of lamb, grilled ribeye, duck breast, or wild mushroom risotto.

• Cellaring Potential: Enjoyable now with decanting, the 2022 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot will continue to gain secondary complexity over the next 10 to 15+ years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Robb Report say about the 2022 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot?

In its October 2026 global roundup of the world's best Merlots, Robb Report named the 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot the Best Napa Valley Merlot, highlighting its single-vineyard pedigree and notes of rose petal, red currant, fennel frond, red raspberry, fig, cranberry, cherry, and cocoa.

What grapes are in the 2022 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot?

The 2022 vintage is a classic Bordeaux-style blend composed of 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in 75% new French oak and 25% neutral oak.

Should you decant the 2022 Three Palms Merlot?

Yes. Decanting the 2022 vintage for approximately one hour before serving allows its aromatics to open up and softens its tannins—though tasting a splash immediately upon opening and following its evolution in the glass is always encouraged.