93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2010 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Rector Creek Vineyard
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Rector Creek Vineyard is located north of Yountville along the Silverado Trail and is the home of the Paraduxx winery. The unique climate combined with the rocky alluvial soils creates excellent growing conditions for the vines. The 39-acre site is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc. The wines from this vineyard exhibit abundant dark red fruit characteristics of black raspberry and hints of strawberry.
Wine Enthusiast
93
Wine Review Online
94
Connoisseurs' Guide
90
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon; Cooperage: 100% French Oak, Chateau-Style Barrels (60 gallons); Age of Barrels: 95% New, 5% second vintage
Winemaker Notes
From its layered aromas of ripe red cherry, mascarpone, earth and almonds to its supple texture and lingering finish, this is a complex and compelling Merlot. As the wine evolves in the glass, intense flavors of licorice, dark cherry, blackberry, violets and sage emerge with age-worthy tannins adding depth and focus to a long, satisfying finish.
Production
Due to a wet spring and mild growing season the 2010 harvest started two weeks later than we would normally expect. Later, milder seasons tend to result in wines of fine elegance and balanced natural acidity. This is exactly what we see in our white wines and the best reds from superior locations. During harvest the conditions (a strong heat wave and then significant late rains), caused us to be very diligent in the vineyards fine tuning the fruit and making timely picking decisions. In the winery we took precautions to be respectful to the characteristics of the fruit and feel that has resulted in wines of character and intrigue.
Other Notes
Released: April 2013
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2010
Varietal
Merlot
Appellation
Napa Valley
Vineyard Designation
Rector Creek Vineyard
Harvest Date
October 11 – November 3, 2010
Sugar
26.4° Brix
Acid
0.59 g/100ml Titratable Acidity
pH
3.52
Aging
18 Months in Barrel
Bottling Date
July 2012
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
93
Wine Review Online
94
Connoisseurs' Guide
90