Duckhorn Merlot

Duckhorn Merlot: Best Bottles from Duckhorn Vineyards, Taste, Prices (2024)

by Hunter Robillard

Produced by Duckhorn Vineyards, Duckhorn Merlot is among the finest Merlot varietal wines in the entire Napa Valley. 

It has been enticing wine lovers with its youthful drinkability and rich textures for over four decades.

This article explores the renowned Merlot from Duckhorn Vineyards - 10 exceptional bottles, their taste, and whether Duckhorn Merlot makes a worthy addition to your cellar.

Plus, we also take a sneak peek at the esteemed Duckhorn Vineyards and its wine styles.

Further reading

10 Exceptional Duckhorn Merlot Wines To Buy In 2024

Here are some of the best Merlots to try from Duckhorn Vineyards:

1. 1979 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley ($349)

1979 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley

This Merlot vintage has exotic and luxurious flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, raspberry, dried earth, and leather.

2. ​​2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($253)

2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA

​​This Napa Valley Merlot has mulberry and ripe cherry flavors seasoned with rich spice and licorice accents. It finishes with subtle notes of toasted oak and freshly baked pie crust.

3. 2019 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($175)

2019 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA

This is a rich and intense red wine with a vibrant palate of black raspberry, cherry, plum, and supple tannins. 

4. 1990 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($160)

1990 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA

This Merlot vintage has a lovely silky palate of cloves, licorice, and lush cherry notes leading to a pleasant ripe plum finish.

5. 2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($156)

2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA

An elegant & polished wine with alluring aromas of cherry, plum, herbs, and cedar with ample tannins and a subtle baking spice finish. 

6. 1994 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($110)

1994 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley, USA

This Napa Valley Merlot wine has a great nose of dark fruits and cherry. The palate has plush ripe fruit flavors and fine tannins. 

7. 2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($100)

2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA

A youthful wine with a seductive ripe cherry fragrance. This fine wine has dusty tannins and a refreshing finish of red fruit flavors. 

8. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Stout Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($100)

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Stout Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley, USA

This Duckhorn wine has a silky palate complimented by luxurious flavors of black fruit, cassis, leather, and a hint of cedar.

9. 2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Atlas Peak Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($80)

2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Atlas Peak Merlot Napa Valley, USA

A delicious Napa Valley Merlot with flavors of bing cherry, raspberry, and hints of toasted malt. The wine has dusty tannins and a pleasant lingering finish.   

10. 2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Carneros Merlot Napa Valley, USA ($80)

2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Carneros Merlot Napa Valley, USA

This stunning Merlot vintage has enticing aromas of black cherry, cranberry, and black raspberry. The palate has voluptuous red fruit flavors and a subtle baking spice finish.

Now, let’s see if these Merlot vintages make for a valuable addition to your cellar.

Do Duckhorn Merlot Wines Age Well?

Duckhorn Merlot

Duckhorn Vineyards has won multiple awards and was listed as one of the Top 100 Wineries in the world by Wine & Spirits eight times.

The 2014 Duckhorn Merlot vintage from Three Palms Vineyard was named the “2017 Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator.

The 2015 Merlot from Three Palms Vineyard is another outstanding red wine that can be cellared for 15 - 20 years. The same vintage from Atlas Peak will reach its peak maturity in 12-15 years.

The consistent quality, ratings, and aging potential have contributed to the wine’s growth in value. The price of the 2001 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot saw a 216% increase from $49 to $155 between 2020 and 2021.

So what’s the best way to add a gorgeous Napa Valley Merlot bottle to your collection?

The easiest way to add a bottle of Duckhorn Merlot or other Napa Valley wines to your cellar is through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest - which lets you build a wine portfolio with just a few clicks. 

Want to know more about Duckhorn Vineyards? 

A Brief Overview Of Duckhorn Vineyards And Its Wine Styles

Duckhorn Merlot and other wine styles

Duckhorn Vineyards estate was established in 1976 by Dan Duckhorn and Margaret Duckhorn in St. Helena. The first vintage of the estate consisted of 800 cases each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Today, the winery owns seven estate vineyards located in varied microclimates and produces over 100,000 bottles per year. 

Duckhorn Vineyards produces a wide range of varietal and Bordeaux blend wines made from grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.

The winery also produces delicious wines from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Fun Fact: Duckhorn Vineyards celebrated its 40th harvest in 2017 by showcasing rare and prized wines of the estate and offering complimentary wine tasting experiences.

Get A Delectable Duckhorn Merlot For Your Collection!

Duckhorn Merlot vineyard

With its flagship Merlot, Duckhorn Vineyards has been setting a benchmark for American red wine for decades.

Thanks to the pioneering spirit of founders Margaret and Dan Duckhorn, this classic Napa Valley winery stands out amongst its peers.

Check out the Vinovest website to explore how to easily buy, store, and sell authentic Napa wines from Duckhorn Vineyards and other prestigious estates!

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