Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is a landmark California wine first produced in 1978 after founders Dan and Margaret Duckhorn were inspired by a visit to Bordeaux. This 3-liter format (equivalent to four standard 750 ml bottles) offers exceptional value for entertaining and cellaring. The 2022 vintage is composed of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc, sourced from estate vineyards and top sites throughout the valley's diverse appellations.

This wine opens with an alluring nose of floral notes and dark red berries, characteristic of a quintessential Napa Valley Merlot. On the palate, the wine is supple and polished with a seamless integration of fruit and tannin, featuring signature flavors of black cherry, plum, and spice, enhanced by the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon and a hint of Cabernet Franc. The long, vibrant finish highlights meticulous craftsmanship and perfect balance. The wine was aged 15 months in 100% French oak (40% new, 60% neutral), with an alcohol content of 14.5%, acidity of 0.56 g/100 ml, and a pH of 3.65.

The 2022 harvest benefited from ample winter and spring rainfall, warm steady weather through summer, and careful canopy management during a mid-September heat event, delivering wines with excellent concentration, supple tannins, lovely finesse, and dynamic acidity.