Ruby color with browning at edges. Nose slightly muted but clear cocoa. Nice acidity stands out along with the velvety mouth feel. Medium body. The grippy tannins smooth out with air. The palate is enjoyable and there is still plenty of fruit along with chocolate. The alcohol does not seem fully integrated as it stands out at the end quite a bit. Lingering finish with cherries, Enjoyable and doesn’t seem over the hill. Probably at peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A winner from Duckhorn. The 2009 Merlot has peaked, I wouldn't wait much longer. No dark edges, wonderful fruity nose and great tannins. if you have it in your cellar, now is the time to enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slightly brown around the edges. Somewhat muted nose. Dark fruit with good acidity and still quite grippy tannins with a simple drying finish. Med body. Enjoyable and definitely not over the hill but don’t think I’ll wait long to drink the other 2009 I have.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clear. Deep ruby in color. Medium intensity nose of blueberry, blackberry and black plum. I don't feel much development on the nose. Dry, medium plus body, medium acidity, assertive grip, medium and well integrated alcohol. Flavors are also primary. Nothing cooked, nothing overripe. It's very fresh. Finish is velvety and of mid length. Not a highly complex bottle but this may need some more time. The acid, the fruit and tannin are there. It still tastes quite young. Purchased eight years ago. Cellared since then.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured with the Venturi. Nose exploded in the glass, and fruit was powerful, but with enough tannin to provide a good backbone. Gotta say, this wine was much better than we expected. Left the last glass in the kitchen for a few hours - was even better with air. This wine can easily go another 5+ years, so no rush. Drink now or hold. VERY GOOD.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From 375. Perhaps the best domestic big production merlot. Always dependable. I believe they even throw some other bdx grapes in this bottling. Dark cherry, slight heat, dark choclate, some tannins, and even a little leather. It's drinking well now, but doesn't even look to be on its last legs.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Improperly paired with some spicy shrimp. Saved most of the bottle for after dinner. Ended up decanting for almost an hour. Brought out nuanced flavors of green pepper . Strong stewed stone fruit flavor with mild tannic balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has juicy texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Youthful ruby. Black and blue fruit, currants, oak, and a hint of bubble gum on the nose. There's an attractive, oak influence on the ripe, black fruit palate. Long, structured, with good weight, poise, a taut middle, lively tannin, and a coffee finish that shifts to mocha on the spice-driven aftertaste. This is expressively polished and will age gracefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I'm glad I held this wine based on the reviews. It has obviously developed well, in the bottle, over the last year. First impression was a bouquet that surprisingly leaped out of the bottle. Second impression was dense, deep fruit notes followed by a fairly long linger. I typically steal a small taste after popping the cork just for reference. And this bottle didn't really need time in the decanter.
Bottom line: Very enjoyable wine fit for a meal or sipping throughout the evening.
*side note* I just opened the 2010 and it doesn't compare with the 2009. But I bet it would have, if patience had allowed it another year in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I really liked the complexity of this Merlot. A little heavier than most Merlots, which I liked. Deep purple color, solid nose, enjoyable palate and decent finish. Nicely done.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Now this is a full-bodied merlot and another solid effort from the always dependable Duckhorn. A PNP, this had ripe, upfront fruit, but combined with a bit more earthy complexity than your run of the mill merlot. Further adding to the yum factor was an elegant oakey creaminess and a pleasing finish. Another solid effort from Duckhorn who have been making some of the better merlots in Napa for years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, plums, spices, herbs, dusty minerals and cocoa. Full-bodied with a wonderful rich velvety texture that is well structured, supported by a firm tannic core.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid well made merlot, nose of blackberry, currants and fleshy plums, full bodied with fresh dark fruit on the palate good finish, tannins are sweet and juicy finish could have been longer though
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I completely disagree with the other recent tasters. I loved this wine. Give me those tannins! I want a well-structured Merlot that's more than just velvety fruit. This was it (plus it had great fruit!). It was a Wednesday night, so I should have stopped at two glasses, but that third glass was calling, and who was I to say no.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Duckhorn Dinner with Zach Rasmuson (Fair Hill Inn, Fair Hill MD.): Very dark ruby, sweet spicy nose. Chewy, agressive tannins dominate at first. Some time in the glass brought out the dark fruits, although the tannin remained present in the finish. Matched with a buffalo carpaccio and blue cheese, the wine snapped into place and provided enjoyable company.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
With firm tannins and exceptional length, this is a lovely and age-worthy wine that shows how much Merlot can excel in a cooler growing season. The aromas are rich and inviting with layers of amaretto, sweet spice and cedar. On the palate, lush flavors of plum, blackberry and cherry dominate, with the tannins adding structure and depth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
After decanting for 30 minutes, there was chalk, alcohol, and faint minerals on the nose; and one dimentional fruit and tannins on the palate. After 1 hour, the nose opened up to ripe fruit, vanilla, mild flowers; and the palate to more complex ripe red fruit, baking spice, with decent tannins. It was good, but not great. It probably needs more time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Young, plush and supple as a merlot should be. Very new world opulence without much linearity. No great nuances here with dark fruit and mocha with a hint of clove. Ok length. Bit of tannin for grip. Pleasant, but not outstanding. Might be a bit better in 2014.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby color with a nose of toasted oak, black currant, cherry, cloves, earth, espresso. Medium-bodied wine with a spicy overtone to the currant, plum, coffee, and dried herbs. Medium finish with gripping tannins that provide liveliness and character. Consistent with Duckhorn Merlots in past vintages, I'd give this a little more cellar time to make it all come together. Drink 2014 until 2020.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very lovely merlot nose, cherry fruit evident, more red than black, more of the same on the palate with good complexity including herbs, cherry, and other red fruits, lovely to drink now, fruity aftetaste, almost luscious, delicious long finish. Drink now to 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark red, cassis, black plum, creamy black cherry, toffee and vanilla on the nose, sweet spicy black fruit on the attack followed by tangy plum, finish is spicy, hot and straightforward
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At a restaurant, no decanting. $85, Young, needs some time.Somewhat closed, but a good showing for their Merlot. Good red fruit, some expresso, good balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
while probably could have done with a few years in the bottle after 4 hours decanting I got a glimpse of what might become of this wine while there were enjoyable notes of plums, fig and raisin, throughout. How ever there was a balsamic element on the palate that I didn’t appreciate too much while the wine has a big enough body it has a nice smooth mouth feel at the price it's not a rebuy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2009 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot is luscious, with plenty of ripe cassis, sweet currant, anise and leather. Full-bodied with soft plush tannins and a supple finish. Very, very tasty! 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% French Oak Château-style Barrels. (Recommended 2012-2017)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/24/2023 - Ryan@Rhone wrote: 91 Points
Ruby color with browning at edges. Nose slightly muted but clear cocoa. Nice acidity stands out along with the velvety mouth feel. Medium body. The grippy tannins smooth out with air. The palate is enjoyable and there is still plenty of fruit along with chocolate. The alcohol does not seem fully integrated as it stands out at the end quite a bit. Lingering finish with cherries, Enjoyable and doesn’t seem over the hill. Probably at peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2022 - Bill's Notes wrote: 90 Points
A winner from Duckhorn. The 2009 Merlot has peaked, I wouldn't wait much longer. No dark edges, wonderful fruity nose and great tannins. if you have it in your cellar, now is the time to enjoy.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2022 - Ryan@Rhone Likes this wine: 91 Points
Slightly brown around the edges. Somewhat muted nose. Dark fruit with good acidity and still quite grippy tannins with a simple drying finish. Med body. Enjoyable and definitely not over the hill but don’t think I’ll wait long to drink the other 2009 I have.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2021 - joefel wrote: 93 Points
Not sure what the people with the low scores were drinking. This stuff is drinking fabulous.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2020 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 90 Points
Clear. Deep ruby in color. Medium intensity nose of blueberry, blackberry and black plum. I don't feel much development on the nose. Dry, medium plus body, medium acidity, assertive grip, medium and well integrated alcohol. Flavors are also primary. Nothing cooked, nothing overripe. It's very fresh. Finish is velvety and of mid length. Not a highly complex bottle but this may need some more time. The acid, the fruit and tannin are there. It still tastes quite young. Purchased eight years ago. Cellared since then.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2019 - elevwine wrote:
Well past it’s peak. Some minor cork failure appears to be the cause.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2017 - Hugfish Likes this wine: 86 Points
Very smooth and tasty
Paired with BBQ ribs smoked in a Big Green Egg
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2017 - maderay wrote: flawed
Not corked but flavorless
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2016 - packinmn wrote: 88 Points
A decent bottle of wine. Good but not great flavor. Lacked any distinguishing qualities but enjoyable for a Thursday night at home.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2016 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Awesome
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2015 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured with the Venturi. Nose exploded in the glass, and fruit was powerful, but with enough tannin to provide a good backbone. Gotta say, this wine was much better than we expected. Left the last glass in the kitchen for a few hours - was even better with air. This wine can easily go another 5+ years, so no rush. Drink now or hold. VERY GOOD.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2015 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 90 Points
From 375. Perhaps the best domestic big production merlot. Always dependable. I believe they even throw some other bdx grapes in this bottling. Dark cherry, slight heat, dark choclate, some tannins, and even a little leather. It's drinking well now, but doesn't even look to be on its last legs.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2015 - Pscordilis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Improperly paired with some spicy shrimp. Saved most of the bottle for after dinner. Ended up decanting for almost an hour. Brought out nuanced flavors of green pepper . Strong stewed stone fruit flavor with mild tannic balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2014 - tfharris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last bottle and it was really drinking well right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2014 - buchhokm Likes this wine: 95 Points
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has juicy texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2014 - Baron Slick wrote: 92 Points
Youthful ruby. Black and blue fruit, currants, oak, and a hint of bubble gum on the nose. There's an attractive, oak influence on the ripe, black fruit palate. Long, structured, with good weight, poise, a taut middle, lively tannin, and a coffee finish that shifts to mocha on the spice-driven aftertaste. This is expressively polished and will age gracefully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2014 - 95Retriever Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid effort but not meant for the long haul.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2014 - jcasey555 Likes this wine: 90 Points
bright fruit with a hint of vanilla on the nose, velvety mouth feel, decent finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2014 - grayfont wrote:
tasted one glass from coravin; I don't think this is ready yet unless it gets a lot of air. adjusting drinking window to 2015-2020.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2014 - tanalexd Likes this wine: 93 Points
I'm glad I held this wine based on the reviews. It has obviously developed well, in the bottle, over the last year.
First impression was a bouquet that surprisingly leaped out of the bottle.
Second impression was dense, deep fruit notes followed by a fairly long linger.
I typically steal a small taste after popping the cork just for reference. And this bottle didn't really need time in the decanter.
Bottom line: Very enjoyable wine fit for a meal or sipping throughout the evening.
*side note* I just opened the 2010 and it doesn't compare with the 2009. But I bet it would have, if patience had allowed it another year in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2014 - Graniwinkle wrote: 86 Points
Crisp, plums, vanilla. Smooth tannins. Tasty, but not complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2013 - Ilikadajuice Likes this wine: 90 Points
I really liked the complexity of this Merlot. A little heavier than most Merlots, which I liked. Deep purple color, solid nose, enjoyable palate and decent finish. Nicely done.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2013 - VintageSully wrote: 90 Points
Now this is a full-bodied merlot and another solid effort from the always dependable Duckhorn. A PNP, this had ripe, upfront fruit, but combined with a bit more earthy complexity than your run of the mill merlot. Further adding to the yum factor was an elegant oakey creaminess and a pleasing finish. Another solid effort from Duckhorn who have been making some of the better merlots in Napa for years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2013 - rollieandjeni wrote:
Nicole Wedding
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2013 - jjRoe Likes this wine: 91 Points
Noticeable age difference from the 2006 bottle I tried, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2013 - InternationalWineReport wrote:
Aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, plums, spices, herbs, dusty minerals and cocoa. Full-bodied with a wonderful rich velvety texture that is well structured, supported by a firm tannic core.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/27/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid well made merlot, nose of blackberry, currants and fleshy plums, full bodied with fresh dark fruit on the palate good finish, tannins are sweet and juicy finish could have been longer though
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2013 - InternationalWineReport wrote:
Ripe cassis, sweet currant, anise and leather. Full-bodied with soft plush tannins and a supple finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/30/2013 - c33pays wrote: 96 Points
Nice finish, really opens up after 3hrs easily my favorite merlot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2013 - ataraxy Likes this wine: 89 Points
needs five more years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2013 - The Vinsider wrote: 93 Points
I completely disagree with the other recent tasters. I loved this wine. Give me those tannins! I want a well-structured Merlot that's more than just velvety fruit. This was it (plus it had great fruit!). It was a Wednesday night, so I should have stopped at two glasses, but that third glass was calling, and who was I to say no.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2013 - lockestep Likes this wine: 89 Points
Duckhorn Dinner with Zach Rasmuson (Fair Hill Inn, Fair Hill MD.): Very dark ruby, sweet spicy nose. Chewy, agressive tannins dominate at first. Some time in the glass brought out the dark fruits, although the tannin remained present in the finish. Matched with a buffalo carpaccio and blue cheese, the wine snapped into place and provided enjoyable company.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2013 - Cuellar's Cellar wrote: 89 Points
With firm tannins and exceptional length, this is a lovely and age-worthy wine that shows how much Merlot can excel in a cooler growing season. The aromas are rich and inviting with layers of amaretto, sweet spice and cedar. On the palate, lush flavors of plum, blackberry and cherry dominate, with the tannins adding structure and depth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/7/2013 - toastslc wrote: 89 Points
Yummy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2013 - suarezd wrote: 88 Points
After decanting for 30 minutes, there was chalk, alcohol, and faint minerals on the nose; and one dimentional fruit and tannins on the palate. After 1 hour, the nose opened up to ripe fruit, vanilla, mild flowers; and the palate to more complex ripe red fruit, baking spice, with decent tannins. It was good, but not great. It probably needs more time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2013 - Niccolo Donzella wrote: 92 Points
A preview of good things to come, it is already showing great promise. Classic Merlot nose,dark, ripe fruit with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2013 - yossarian.livez wrote: 84 Points
Young, plush and supple as a merlot should be. Very new world opulence without much linearity. No great nuances here with dark fruit and mocha with a hint of clove. Ok length. Bit of tannin for grip. Pleasant, but not outstanding. Might be a bit better in 2014.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2013 - Karl Halicke Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice fruit on mid palate followed by soft short finish. Easy wine to pair.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2012 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color with a nose of toasted oak, black currant, cherry, cloves, earth, espresso. Medium-bodied wine with a spicy overtone to the currant, plum, coffee, and dried herbs. Medium finish with gripping tannins that provide liveliness and character. Consistent with Duckhorn Merlots in past vintages, I'd give this a little more cellar time to make it all come together. Drink 2014 until 2020.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2012 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very lovely merlot nose, cherry fruit evident, more red than black, more of the same on the palate with good complexity including herbs, cherry, and other red fruits, lovely to drink now, fruity aftetaste, almost luscious, delicious long finish. Drink now to 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2012 - duchamp wrote: 89 Points
Dark red, cassis, black plum, creamy black cherry, toffee and vanilla on the nose, sweet spicy black fruit on the attack followed by tangy plum, finish is spicy, hot and straightforward
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - rollieandjeni wrote:
Thanksgiving 2012
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2012 - RR47 wrote: 90 Points
At a restaurant, no decanting. $85, Young, needs some time.Somewhat closed, but a good showing for their Merlot. Good red fruit, some expresso, good balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 89 Points
Pleasant simple style. Nice nose with some herbs and a touch of toast. Medium bodied, not a ton of fruit, but good balance and nothing is really off.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma Does not like this wine: 78 Points
Dark fruit, spice, minerality and lots of oak. Repeat lots of oak. Made for unbalanced tannins. C+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2012 - Majiq wrote: 85 Points
A nice merlot with a smooth dark cherry palette
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2012 - eoinhharkins wrote: 86 Points
while probably could have done with a few years in the bottle after 4 hours decanting I got a glimpse of what might become of this wine while there were enjoyable notes of plums, fig and raisin, throughout. How ever there was a balsamic element on the palate that I didn’t appreciate too much while the wine has a big enough body it has a nice smooth mouth feel at the price it's not a rebuy
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/7/2012 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 92 Points
The 2009 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot is luscious, with plenty of ripe cassis, sweet currant, anise and leather. Full-bodied with soft plush tannins and a supple finish. Very, very tasty! 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% French Oak Château-style Barrels. (Recommended 2012-2017)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
By the glass at a restaurant. Very primary. No formal notes. 89-90 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2012 - kstoddard wrote: 88 Points
Dark ruby color. Earthy black cherry nose. Tastes of cherry, anise, and pepper with some vanilla oak on the soft finish. Quite approachable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2012 - davej95 wrote: 88 Points
nice merlot blend, hints of chocolate. easy to drink, crowd pleaser
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 83 Points
Medium bodied with a red berry, high acid, dominated personality, this is best enjoyed on the young side.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 83 Points
Dark fruit, dry oak tannins which overwhelm the midpalate. Cedar, spice, nices time. B
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment