94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2010 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard
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With abundant red fruit notes and signature Three Palms minerality, this is a classic expression of the qualities that have made this vineyard legendary in the world of California Merlot.
Wine Enthusiast
94
Wine Review Online
93
Connoisseurs' Guide
93
Wine Advocate
92
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 82% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot; Cooperage: 100% French oak château-style barrels (60 gallons); Age of Barrels: 68% New, 32% Second Vintage
Winemaker Notes
Filled with lush red and black fruit and classic earthy undertones, this is a rich and weighty expression of Three Palms Vineyard, bursting with flavor and structure. The aromas are warm and inviting, highlighting dark cherry, plum, cocoa and sweet Asian spices. The palate is equally layered and expressive with pure, intense notes of ripe plum, currant, candied cherry, mocha and red licorice. This cellar-worthy wine will benefit from decanting in its youth.
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
Three Palms Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 4 – November 3, 2010
Sugar
28.3° Brix
Acid
0.62 g/100ml Titratable Acidity
pH
3.62
Aging
18 months in Barrel
Bottling Date
July 2012
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
94
Wine Review Online
93
Connoisseurs' Guide
93
Wine Advocate
92