The Luscious Duckhorn Merlot 2017 Vintage: Taste, Prices, Reviews

The Duckhorn Merlot 2017 vintage is a beautiful and complex wine - an irresistible treat for any red wine lover!

It is produced by the renowned Napa Valley winery Duckhorn Vineyards, known for its rich and sensual Merlot and other red wines. 

In 2017, the winery released six remarkable Merlot wines. Let’s explore these in more detail.

Was 2017 a Good Year For Duckhorn Vineyards?

Winter showers invigorated the grapevines during the growing season of 2017. 

This was succeeded by a parched spring that culminated into the divine moment of bud break.

The plentiful rains significantly increased the groundwater level and gave rise to healthy green foliage. This, in turn, offered the much-needed shade to all young plantings in the vineyards. 

Grape picking began in late August and continued into early October. 

By then, the grapes had reached a lovely ripeness and the adequate hangtime allowed the perfect balance of fruit character and bright acidity.

The 6 Duckhorn Merlot 2017 Wines (Including Prices, Tasting Notes, Food Pairings) 

Here are the six delightful Merlot wines that were made from the vintage of 2017: 

1. Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Grown Merlot ($58)

2. Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot ($48)

3. Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot ($106)

4. Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Merlot ($100)

5. Duckhorn Vineyards Stout Vineyard Merlot($100)

6. Duckhorn Vineyards Atlas Peak Merlot ($78)

1. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Grown Merlot, California, USA ($58)

This red wine is packed with plum, subtle baking spice, raspberry, black cherry, dark fruit, and toasted oak tasting notes.

It is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced exclusively from estate vineyards. 

This Napa Valley Merlot pairs well with meatloaf, crispy lamb breasts, and savory meat pies. 

2. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($48)

This California Merlot has alluring aromas of lush cherry, raspberry, and licorice. The palate has fine grained tannins and flavors of pretty fruit, clove, and baking spice nuances. 

It is a blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Malbec sourced from estate vineyards and independent growers.  

It pairs perfectly with brisket sliders, grilled marinated quail, and lamb shanks. 

3. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($106)

This Napa Valley Merlot gives off the luscious aroma of black cherry, ripe plum, raspberry fruit, cedar, dark chocolate, and freshly baked pie crust. The palate has a dusty tannin and bing cherry. It comes to a long, savory finish with toasted oak notes. 

It is a complex blend of 91% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot sourced from the Three Palms Vineyard. 

It goes well with almost any appetizer or main course dish made of beef, lamb, and veal. 

4. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Rector Creek Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($100)

This Napa Valley Merlot has the intense aromas of dark chocolate, cherry, dark fruit, violet, ripe plum, and licorice. The finish is smooth with raspberry notes, silky tannins and bright berry flavors. 

It is a blend of98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Rector Creek Vineyard. 

This red wine pairs well with beef cheeseburger, grilled lamb, and veal meatballs. 

5. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Stout Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($100)

The aroma hints of currant, cranberry fruit, cherry blossom, and plum. It has a silky palate with hints of oak, orange peel, star anise, and baking spice nuances. 

It is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from the Stout Vineyard.

This wine goes well with ham pizza and fresh figs salad. 

6. 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Atlas Peak Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($78)

This California Merlot wine is enriched with brambly blackberry, subtle baking spice, and lush cherry flavors mixed with savory elements, and hints of vanilla. The high acidity and dusty tannins add further depth to the wine character. 

This wine is made from 100% Merlot sourced from the Atlas Peak vineyard site. 

It pairs well with beef stroganoff, lamb chops, and veal parmigiana. 

Add the Delectable Duckhorn Merlot 2017 To Your Portfolio

Duckhorn Merlot 2017 is a soft, velvety wine and a distinct expression of the Napa Valley terroir. It is also a good investment wine - a great collectible for any wine lover.

To get your hands on fine wine bottles like these, you should partner with a wine investment platform like Vinovest, which lets you easily buy, store, and sell wines. 

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