- Last updated on February 17, 2023
Welcome! This is our Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review.
Duckhorn Vineyards has long been renowned for producing some of the finest Merlots in Napa Valley, and the Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is no exception.
It’s a wine that perfectly captures the essence of California’s esteemed wine region.
With its luscious aromas, velvety texture, and nuanced flavors, this wine is a true embodiment of elegance and refinement.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, the Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is sure to impress and delight your senses.
Find below our Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot Review
- Brand: Duckhorn
- Grape Varietal: Merlot
- Region: United States, Napa Valley
- Tasting Notes: Black Cherry & Cassis fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~30mins
- Storage: Up to 10 years
- Price Range: ~$50-$60
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review: What's its color?
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot wine has a deep ruby red color with a garnet hue and fat slow falling legs.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review: What are the flavors?
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is primarily made from Merlot grapes (80%) and aged 15 months in 100% French oak 40% new, 60% neutral.
The other grapes used are Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), Cabernet Franc (2%), and Petit Verdot (1%).
On the nose, vibrant red fruit layers of Rainier cherry and spiced plum, as well as notes of licorice, tobacco leaf, cardamom, and thyme aromas.
These aromas are well-integrated and complex, promising a delightful drinking experience.
On the palate, it’s a velvety and smooth full-body wine with flavors of raspberry, black plum, rhubarb, and licorice, with hints of clove, spice, graphite, and a long finish.
Is Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review: Which food pairs well with it?
The Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot pairs well with a wide range of foods, including roasted meats like lamb, beef, or pork, as well as grilled vegetables, hearty stews, and aged cheeses.
Vegetarian options like mushroom risotto, lentil curry, or roasted eggplant would also pair well with this wine.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot review: What's its alcohol content?
Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot wine’s alcohol content is 14.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have higher calories per glass than wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per gram vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per gram of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Duckhorn?
Here is an extract from the Duckhorn website:
“Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly fifty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines.
From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.“
Conclusion
The Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is a standout wine that showcases the best of Napa Valley.
It offers a complex and elegant drinking experience that is sure to delight any wine lover.
With its rich flavors and firm tannins, this wine is an excellent choice for pairing with a wide range of foods or savoring on its own.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
