- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES
From the historic soils of Napa Valley emerges the 2022 Duckhorn Merlot—a wine that reaffirms Duckhorn’s legacy as one of America’s most revered Merlot producers. A masterstroke of blending, this vintage is built upon 85% Merlot from choice sites across Oak Knoll, Carneros, Calistoga, Yountville, and St. Helena, enriched with 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Cabernet Franc. The result is a wine that transcends varietal expectations, delivering the depth, polish, and structure one might associate with a Right Bank grand vin, yet unmistakably rooted in the warmth and sunlit grace of Napa.
In the glass, the 2022 Duckhorn Merlot is radiant, with a deep ruby hue hinting at the concentration within. The nose is intoxicating—black cherry compote, ripe plum, and wild raspberry harmonize with violets, subtle anise, and the warm suggestion of baking spice from 15 months in 100% French oak (40% new). There is a floral lift that recalls the perfume of Pomerol at its most generous, yet with a California clarity that feels utterly fresh.
On the palate, this Merlot is seamless and silken, with a mid-palate weight that speaks to both vineyard pedigree and exceptional craftsmanship. The Cabernet Sauvignon component lends just enough backbone—fine-grained tannins and notes of graphite and crushed herbs—to elevate the fruit, not overshadow it. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity, a quiet hum of dried sage and rose petal beneath the surface. There is energy here, a verve that reflects a long, temperate growing season with cool nights and a late harvest that allowed full phenolic ripeness without sacrificing acidity.
The finish is enduring—minutes-long—with waves of dark fruit, cocoa nib, and cedar carried on vibrant acidity and refined tannins. It’s a wine that feels both grounded and elevated, plush yet poised, crafted with an elegance that belies its power. Ideal for cellaring over the next decade, yet seductive now with decanting, the 2022 Duckhorn Merlot is a benchmark bottling—a true collector’s Merlot and a testament to what Napa can achieve when terroir, vintage, and vision align.
This is not merely a Merlot. It’s a statement—of heritage, of precision, and of Napa Valley's enduring ability to astonish.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 2% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
In the glass, the 2022 Duckhorn Merlot is radiant, with a deep ruby hue hinting at the concentration within. The nose is intoxicating—black cherry compote, ripe plum, and wild raspberry harmonize with violets, subtle anise, and the warm suggestion of baking spice from 15 months in 100% French oak (40% new). There is a floral lift that recalls the perfume of Pomerol at its most generous, yet with a California clarity that feels utterly fresh.
On the palate, this Merlot is seamless and silken, with a mid-palate weight that speaks to both vineyard pedigree and exceptional craftsmanship. The Cabernet Sauvignon component lends just enough backbone—fine-grained tannins and notes of graphite and crushed herbs—to elevate the fruit, not overshadow it. Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity, a quiet hum of dried sage and rose petal beneath the surface. There is energy here, a verve that reflects a long, temperate growing season with cool nights and a late harvest that allowed full phenolic ripeness without sacrificing acidity.
The finish is enduring—minutes-long—with waves of dark fruit, cocoa nib, and cedar carried on vibrant acidity and refined tannins. It’s a wine that feels both grounded and elevated, plush yet poised, crafted with an elegance that belies its power. Ideal for cellaring over the next decade, yet seductive now with decanting, the 2022 Duckhorn Merlot is a benchmark bottling—a true collector’s Merlot and a testament to what Napa can achieve when terroir, vintage, and vision align.
This is not merely a Merlot. It’s a statement—of heritage, of precision, and of Napa Valley's enduring ability to astonish.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 2% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
92 POINTS - "A dark-fruited, fleshy red with ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and hints of wet stones on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with a lively pace, showing silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish." - James Suckling
92 POINTS - "Vibrant and polished, with elegantly complex cherry and red currant flavors that take on hints of toasty spices and tomato leaf as this sails toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032." - Wine Spectator
92 POINTS - "The 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is firm and delicious. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of sandalwood, early summer blackberries, and hints of oak." - Wilfred Wong
92 POINTS - "Vibrant and polished, with elegantly complex cherry and red currant flavors that take on hints of toasty spices and tomato leaf as this sails toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032." - Wine Spectator
92 POINTS - "The 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is firm and delicious. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of sandalwood, early summer blackberries, and hints of oak." - Wilfred Wong
This wine opens with an alluring nose of floral notes and dark red berries, characteristic of a quintessential Napa Valley Merlot. The palate is supple and polished with a seamless integration of fruit and tannin, enhanced by the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon and a hint of Cabernet Franc. The long, vibrant finish highlights meticulous craftsmanship and perfect balance.