DuckhornVineyards

Duckhorn Vineyards Wins the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine

Filed under: Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, located in St. Helena, Ca., is the winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly 35 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux varietal 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.

Duckhorn made an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late 1970's, few were exploring the potential of this varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the color," says Duckhorn. "The fact that it went with a lot of different foods; it wasn't so bold, didn't need to age so long, and it had this velvety texture to it. It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot."

Gallery: Duckhorn Wine Company

Tags: awards-main, Cabernet Sauvignon, California wine, duckhorn, duckhorn vineyards, DuckhornVineyards, luxist-awards, merlot, St. Helena, winner-wine, winner-wines, winners-wine, winners-wines

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Duckhorn Vineyards: An Artisan's Approach to Creating Enchanting Merlots and Cabernets

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

Duckhorn Vineyards, located in St. Helena, Ca., is a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Domestic Red Wine.

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly 35 years establishing itself as one of North America's premier producers of Bordeaux varietal 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.

Duckhorn made an early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Though many Napa Valley wineries were using Merlot as a blending grape in the late 1970's, few were exploring the potential of this varietal as a stand-alone wine. A great fan of Merlot since traveling to St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant varietal was under appreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the color," says Duckhorn. "The fact that it went with a lot of different foods; it wasn't so bold, didn't need to age so long, and it had this velvety texture to it. It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot."

Gallery: Duckhorn Wine Company

Tags: awards-main, DuckhornVineyards, luxist-awards, Napa Valley, wine

Continue reading “Duckhorn Vineyards: An Artisan's Approach to Creating Enchanting Merlots and Cabernets”

Duckhorn 2003 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

I've been on a Merlot kick lately, while Cabernet Sauvignon is a great winter wine, Merlot's fruitier feel makes it a great spring red. Another great Napa Merlot producer Duckhorn Vineyards has just released their 2003 Merlot offerings: the 2003 Duckhorn Estate reserve and the 2003 Duckhorn Three Palms reserve. The Three Palms Vineyard, which has been producing Merlot since 1978 is located on the northeast side of the Napa Valley in an area that has rocky and well-drained soil. The wine is 75% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc. It spent 20 months in French oak château-style barrels. The resulting wine is described as smooth and full-bodied with a palate of red fruit notes and cedar and oak. The wine costs $80 per bottle.

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