Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley 2017

92 points James Suckling: "A nicely crafted 2017 red with berries, plums and hints of dark chocolate on the nose and palate. Medium body, creamy tannins and a savory finish. Pretty fruit at the end. Drink or hold. (2/14/20)"

91 points and 'Very highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "[$56 list] Medium ruby color; attractive, deep, ripe, perfumed, dark cherry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit aroma with hints of milk chocolate and baking spice; full body; nicely balanced, red and black fruit flavors with bright acidity, and a rich, somewhat elegant mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable now, though still deserving several more yeas of bottle aging. 14.5% alcohol; blended with 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Malbec; released December 2019. (May 2020)"

90 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$56 list] With dark fruit at its core, this wine offers thick, concentrated power alongside accents of sage and clove. The fruit is black cherry and plum, rich enough to be jammy, with plenty of support from toasted oak and baking spice nuances. Alcohol 14.5%. (Nov 2020)"

90 points Wine & Spirits: "[$56 list] Duckhorn takes rich and supple Napa Valley merlot in an elegant direction. While there may be a lot of juicy blackberry fruit, along with a toasty, smoky presence of oak, both of those elements serve to elevate the texture. Rather than complexity, this wine is all about supple pleasures, with nothing out of place. (Oct 2020)"

90 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$56 list] Here is rich, well-mannered Merlot that puts a heavy emphasis on the very specific, black cherry fruit of the variety and comes with a trim bit of sweet oak that serves to enhance its steady and sustained richness. It is moderately full-bodied and fleshy in feel with well-integrated tannins that firm without being at all intrusive, and, if neither as deep nor as far-reaching in range as its companion from the Three Palms Vineyard, it is a thoroughly tasty Merlot, that, if possessing mid-term aging potential, is a polished, well-made example that those who are a bit short on patience are certain to find inviting if uncorked and enjoyed in the very near term. (Oct 2020)"

Producer notes: "[$56 list] Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our estate vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley. The final wine is a rich and cohesive expression of the entire Napa Valley, reflecting the varied microclimates and soils of this unique appellation."