Today we share the famed wines from the Three Palms Vineyard by Duckhorn. One of Napa’s historic vineyards, the Three Palms Vineyard is a 73-acre estate in Calistoga. Named for the three palm trees planted in the 1890s, the site was planted in 1967 by Sloan Upton and his brother. The location is set on rocky, volcanic stone soils and the inaugural release from this site was Duckhorn’s Merlot from the 1978 vintage.
At the time no other wineries were making single vineyard Merlots but Dan and Margaret Duckhorn saw this vision to create single site wines from a single vintage in Napa. Today Duckhorn has Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon primarily planted at this location.
I have loved these wines over the years. They are typically dense and opulent but have good poise and rocky/loamy soil character. Three Palms Merlot is typically aged in 50% or more new French oak. The oak character in the wine gently caresses the fruit and non-fruit elements.
I am enamored by the new release which celebrates 50 years of Duckhorn. The 2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 95) is pillowy and soft with amazing flavor density. Learn more about these social wines at duckhorn.com and here are my reviews of the Three Palm Vineyard wines by Duckhorn.
2021 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- A thrilling bottle of wine to enjoy right now, the 2021 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot has 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc blended in. Roasted fig, dates, and black currants combine on the palate with loamy soils and terrific texture and flavor density. Finishing long, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2026-2040- 95
2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot comes from this warm vintage in Napa. It is full-bodied, velvety and soft with a refined mouthfeel. Mocha, espresso grounds and loamy soils all combine on the palate. This is already beautifully-evolved stuff that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A great wine from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 10% Merlot and 4% Malbec blended in. Inky in the glass, this shows off exotic spices with dark currants, huckleberry and shades of violets on the nose. The palate is lush and refined with serious weight and length. This is a resounding success from this year that saw a very late harvest. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- A world-class wine, the 2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot is the 50th anniversary edition of this historic wine. Nearly all Merlot with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec blended in, this opens with a gorgeous bouquet of black florals with roasted meats, creme de cassis and Turkish coffee notes that all take shape in the glass. The palate is lush and refined with great weight and length, with salty mineral notes. While marvelous now, this clearly has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2043- 95