Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2017

94 points CellarTracker.com community score.

93 points and 'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "This wine from a famous vineyard delivers brightly layered red fruit, crushed rock and dried herb. Powerful intensity marks the palate, with dense, grippy tannins and well-integrated oak providing breadth and weight. Enjoy from 2027–2032. Alcohol 14.5%. (Mar 2021)"

93 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "Taking its accustomed place among the very best Merlots of the vintage, Duckhorn's iconic Three Palms bottling is, once again, a near-succulent effort that is generously appointed with beautifully focused, optimally ripened, black cherries, but deep fruit is only one part of its appeal, and its layered, sweet oak and loamy soil complexities along with its impeccable structure and balance impart a degree of seriousness that separates it from the pack. While so rich as to tempt early drinking, this is a cellar-worthy Merlot that is destined to evolve famously for years, and there is simply no questioning its ability to become ever more involving as the next decade unfolds. (Oct 2020)"

93 points International Wine Report: "The 2017 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a blend of 91% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, which was aged aged 18 months in 100% French oak (75% new). It opens to inviting aromas of dark plums, blackberry, dark cherries along with lavender and baking spices. This possesses a medium-plus body with a plush core that is laced with flavors of black and red fruits, along with sweet spice and earthy tones. This glides effortlessly across the palate with a gorgeous round texture that is framed by medium-plus tannins and a long dry finish. It is a wonderful wine to approach early in its youth, but it should also benefit from some short-term cellaring and gain complexity over the next decade. Drink: 2022-2032. (Apr 2020)"

92 points Wine & Spirits: "The three palms at this vineyard line the valley floor at a seam of rocks between St. Helena and Calistoga. That rocky soil has proven to be a great medium for the roots of merlot vines, allowing them to ripen cool fruit in the midst of a hot place. This 2017 is luscious, layering high tones of strawberries with darker depths of black cherries and herbs. Its richness would be delicious with rare filet mignon. (Oct 2020)"

92 points and 'Very highly recommended,' California Grapevine: "Medium-dark ruby; attractive, deep, rich, intense, Bing cherry, blackberry, and dark plum aroma with hints mocha, baking spice, cedar, and wet stone; full body; rich, ripe, plummy, spicy, red and black fruit flavors with notes of dried herbs and dark chocolate, and some plushness in the mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. 14.5% alcohol; blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot; released April 2020. (Oct 2020)"

Producer notes: "91% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Once again, the famed Three Palms Vineyard has yielded a fascinating and full-bodied Merlot. Luxurious aromas of black cherry, plum, raspberry, cedar and wet slate rise from the glass where they mingle with hints of chocolate and sweet baking spices. On the palate, dusty tannins add nuance and sophistication to a round, fleshy texture, with flavors of black and red fruit, fig and iron-rich earthy notes drawing the wine to a long, resonant finish. Alcohol 14.5%."