Other vintages

After a scent of cherries, raspberries and flowers, a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins wraps up flavors of black and red cherries in this full-bodied, nicely fruity and well-balanced wine. It shows how well Merlot can perform in the cooler bayside part of Napa Valley.

Well-knit and genteel, with attractive currant, tomato leaf and loamy spice flavors that build richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029. 47,000 cases made.

The 2019 Merlot is certainly solid, with a plump, juicy, medium-bodied style as well as notes of darker cherries, currants, ripe herbs, and chocolate. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 4-6 years or more.

Aged in 40% new French oak, Duckhorn's 2019 Merlot comes across as slightly dry and cedary at first; give it a bit of time in the glass-or in a decanter-and more black cherries emerge, wrapped in mocha-tinged, loamy notes. It's medium to full-bodied, smooth and silky in feel, with a reasonably elegant finish.