Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2019

I like the savory nose here, with notes of coffee, spiced plum, overturned earth and bark. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Expressive, but focused, with really clean and clear dark fruit blending nicely with ground spice and grilled herbs. Totally delicious. This will age very nicely.

6% Cabernet Sauvignon; 1% Malbec; 1% Cabernet Franc. Yet again finding a familiar place at the head of the Duckhorn class of 2019, this year’s Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a beautifully crafted wine of tremendous richness and depth. Although an intense and wonderfully expressive effort now whose polished, age-worthy tannins are countered by a wealth of extremely longlasting fruit, it has the all of the pieces in place to evolve famously and, when carefully cellared, is guaranteed to pay big dividends upon reaching its tenth anniversary.

Deep cedar, loam and mocha notes frame black cherries and plums on the nose of the 2019 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard. It's full-bodied and moderately rich, with an open-knit texture, ripe tannins and a slightly oaky finish. Approachable now, it should drink well for up to a decade, but I would be hesitant to expect much more.

The 2019 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard is solid and a terrific expression of Merlot. Cassis, black cherries, graphite, scorched earth, and lead pencil notes all define the nose, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a supple, elegant mouthfeel, and a good finish.