- Last updated on February 17, 2023
Welcome! This is our Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review.
Indulge in a luxurious sip of the Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot, a wine that exudes opulence in every sip.
This luscious wine is made with the finest grapes from Three Palms, a legendary vineyard known for producing some of the best Merlots in Napa Valley.
With its rich, full-bodied texture and vibrant red fruit flavors, it’s no wonder why this wine is a favorite among wine connoisseurs.
Find below our Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Review
- Brand: Duckhorn
- Grape Varietal: Merlot
- Region: United States, Napa Valley
- Tasting Notes: Black Cherry & Plum fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Bordeaux / 59-64 °F (15-18 °C) / Decant ~30mins
- Storage: 10+ years
- Price Range: ~$400
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review: What's its color?
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot wine has a deep ruby color with 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 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review: What are the flavors?
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is primarily made from Merlot grapes (92%) and aged 18 months in 100% French oak 75% new, 25% neutral.
The other grapes used are Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Malbec (1%), and Cabernet Franc (1%).
On the nose, this wine is a blend of ripe fruit and spices aromas dominated by black cherry, raspberry, and plum notes, with hints of vanilla, cedar, and baking spices.
On the palate, it’s a velvety, intense, full-body wine with many layers of complexity.
It starts with blackcurrant, cherry, and cassis which develops into cocoa, black pepper, and oak with a very long finish.
Is Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review: Which food pairs well with it?
Pairing wise Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a very versatile wine that allows you to pair it with many dishes, although we find it gives its best with earthy flavor dishes and red meat in particular.
For this reason, we recommend battuta di fassona with black truffle, tagliolini with white truffle, roast leg of lamb, turkey, duck, and venison.
Some vegetarian options are roasted vegetables, mushroom risotto, and lentil stew.
Cheese wise go for hard or blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Parmigiano Reggiano.
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot review: What's its alcohol content?
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard 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 Three Palms Vineyard 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
In conclusion, the Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a wine that truly showcases the art of winemaking.
Its exquisite taste, complex flavors, and luxurious mouthfeel make it a must-try for anyone who loves a good Merlot.
So, whether you’re looking to indulge in a special occasion or simply want to elevate your everyday dining experience, the Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a wine that will impress and delight.
Don’t wait to try this exquisite wine, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your collection. Cheers!
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
