An outstanding Napa house that made their name hedging their bet on top notch Merlot, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards back in 1976. What began with a mere 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, Duckhorn now has many arms of their dynasty including a winery in Washington (Canvasback) as well as Goldeneye out of the Anderson Valley, who is steadily producing a gorgeous lineup of Pinot Noirs. Duckhorn relies on seven estate vineyards for their wines and makes some of the most consistent Merlot in Napa Valley.
In early 2014, Renée Ary became the fourth head winemaker for Duckhorn Vineyards winemakers that began with Tom Rinaldi in 1978. Her promotion came after 11 years after serving as both assistant and associate winemaker. Born and raised on the East Coast, Renée moved to California to attend Saint Mary’s College, where she earned a degree in chemistry and art. Fascinated by the intersection between science and an art, winemaking quickly became Renée’s passion, career and way of life. Her first job was working in the lab at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, as she trained under famed winemakers Genevieve Janssens, Steve Leveque and Richard Sowalsky. During that time she took classes in winemaking and viticulture at UC Davis and Napa Valley College.
In August of 2003, Renée joined the Duckhorn Vineyards team under then winemaker, Mark Beringer. Throughout her first decade at Duckhorn Vineyards, Renée learned every detail of production moving from lab manager to enologist to assistant winemaker to associate winemaker in charge of Duckhorn’s Sauvignon Blanc and Monitor Ledge Vineyard wines. Renee has crafted some beautiful wines over the past few years. She has a gorgeous new release white wine, her 2020 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 90), which has great poise and a touch of buttery tones from the Semillon. has great balance and a soft, beautiful texture. I was blown away with the 2018 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is a show-stopping Merlot that is seamless and beautifully textured. This is one for any serious collector of new world Merlot. Learn more about this famed winery at duckhorn.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Duckhorn.
2020 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvingon Blanc- The 2020 ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a great blend of 84% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Semillon that was aged in mostly stainless steel (8% new French oak) before bottling. The palate is soft and fresh with kiwi, gooseberry and green apple tones alongside shades of toasty brioche. Drink 2021-2025- 90
2019 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc-The 2019 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc is all about a great combination of weight and freshness with bright acidity and really good poise. Layers of melon fruits and minerals combine with kiwi and starfruit tones on the palate. Really good now, this would be awesome on a sunny day. Drink 2021-2025- 91
2018 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot- The 2018 ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot has 16% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in with just a splash of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aged for fifteen months in 100% new French oak, this shows off black tea, exotic spices and black currants on the nose with milk chocolate undertones. The palate is silky, elegant and nicely concentrated as rich dark fruits parade with coffee grounds, Earl Grey tea and chocolate cake tones. Gorgeous now, this will continue to evolve well for the next decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon has a large portion of Merlot blended in (16%), as this saw 50% new French oak for sixteen months prior to bottling. Sagebrush and thyme fill the nose with cassis, anise and shades of espresso bean. The palate is ripe and generous with silky tannins. Layers of blackberry compote, tar and black licorice all meld together with a good sense of acidity. Drink 2021-2033- 91
2016 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Howell Mountain;’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another fantastic release from this storied Napa house. On the nose this takes on dark chocolate shavings that combine with anise, damp earth and shades of blackberry pie that all mingle together. The palate has good weight and structure, showing off its boysenberry puree, Turkish coffee, and sweet pipe tobacco flavors. The combination of minerality and viscosity really impresses, as this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 93
2018 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- Starting all the way back in 1978 Dan and Margaret Duckhorn decided to craft a single vineyard Merlot sourced from their ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ in Calistoga. A blend of nearly all Merlot with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and small portions Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this shows off rich milk chocolate aromatics, woven together with blueberry pie, and cassis that all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and viscous with great poise and tension. Black currants dance with black licorice, mocha, tar and tilled soils on the palate. This is exceedingly good Merlot even at the three year mark, as this will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2038- 94
2017 Duckhorn ‘The Discussion’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘The Discussion’ is a gorgeous blend of near equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc added. This saw 26 months triage in mostly new French oak before bottling. The wine shows good power and density with rich dark fruits that combine with coffee grounds, tar and milk chocolate. Downright delicious to savor now, this has another fifteen years or more to go. Drink 2021-2038- 93