It is hard to believe that Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards all the way 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 consistently great Merlot in Napa Valley.
Flash forward to 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. Renee has been doing a marvelous job with this program and even has been a pillar of consistency, regardless of vintage.
I love the new 2022 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 91), which has great poise and a soft mouthfeel that has a splash of Semillon blended in. 2020 was not kind to Napa vintners but the 20020Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 93) is one of there great Merlot wines that I have tasted from this vintage. 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.
2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc- Soft and very approachable right now, the 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc offers a smooth texture, showing good weight and a touch of sweetness. Kiwi and honeydew melon flavors collide with minerals and shades of salted cashew nut on the palate. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2020 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon- A really good blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, this was stored in 50% new oak for 16 months before bottling. This comes off clean with ripe dark currants, espresso grounds, and milk chocolate tones. Enjoy now and over the next several years. This is really good considering the challenges faced this vintage. Drink 2023-2029- 91
2020 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- It was back in 1978 that Dan and Margaret Duckhorn took the plunge and were the first in Napa to craft a single vineyard Merlot sourced from‘Three Palms Vineyard’ which is located in Calistoga. This 2020 edition is a combination of A blend of nearly all Merlot with 2% Malbec blended in. Right away this is extremely alluring aromatically with chocolate pie, blueberry and violets with freshly tilled loamy soil notes. The palate is concentrated and shows good tension and weight. This is an amazing effort in a tough vintage. Drink 2023–2030- 93
2019 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘The Discussion’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘The Discussion’ is a superb blend from this outstanding vintage. A combination of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with 31% Merlot and a dash of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, this shows a wonderful combination of weight and finesse once on the palate. Rich dark currants collide with dark chocolate shavings, tar, espresso grounds, and blueberry compote on the palate. A wow-factor bottling, this will live on for decades to come — but is irresistible to consume in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2038- 94