Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot Napa Valley 2019

Perhaps no other single wine in the world bears more weight and responsibility to a varietal’s prestige and potential than the Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot. While the popularity of Merlot in America has plummeted, Duckhorn’s Three Palms has been on a meteoric rise.

In 2017, Wine Spectator tasted 17,000 wines over the course of the year. As they compiled the short list of the top wines of the year, they ranked them as they always do based on four factors: quality, value (price), availability and, what they call ‘the X factor’ (advertising dollars spent). As you probably know by now, Duckhorn’s Three Palms was Wine Spectator’s 2017 #1 Wine of the Year.

On the heels of being crowned Wine Spectator’s 2017 #1 Wine of the Year in their Annual ‘Top 100’ list Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, the founders of this Napa institution finally were able to purchase their beloved Three Palms Vineyard, further cementing their dedication to the continuation of one of the best representations of the varietal in the world. It took a long time to do so. In the decades they’ve been crafting Merlot, Duckhorn’s name is mentioned in the top echelon of American Bordeaux blends with the wines of Insignia, Opus One and Silver Oak.

Finally, after a wait, we’re back with the fantastic 2018 vintage in Napa where an even and dry growing season created the perfect recipe for this flagship bottling. This is a well-rounded and lavish American Bordeaux blend that demonstrates the wonders of North America’s undisputed top Merlot.

This beauty also has at least 25-30 years of cellaring potential going for it as well. This is an all-time collector’s item. Very limited quantities to go around – but at 95-points and with Wine Spectator still yet to weight in, you can assure this continues to be a cut above the rest.