Dark ruby with only the faintest hint of brown. Decanted, a bit of sediment. Nose of leather, raspberries, a hint of baking spice and cedar. Elegant attack -- leather and wet stones, with a bit of leather and tobacco. Some red fruits -- a bit of plum, raspberry and cherry. This has aged beautifully.
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Deep red, with good color in the glass. Stewed plums on the nose with the earthy sour note often noted with aged merlot. On the palate this showed it’s age. The hints of dark fruit and chocolate were overwhelmed by heat, and oak.
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Half bottle. Color still has a touch of ruby, with the expected rust as well. Lots of old age funk in the nose upon opening, and it remains after five minutes. Surprisingly soft and round on the palate, and while the fruit doesn’t hit first, or second, there isn’t any sense of scratchiness or tannins over fruit, just the funk of a bottle that should have been enjoyed sooner if you prefer the fruit forward. That being said, it’s definitely not a stand-alone quaffer, but with the right food pairing this could still satisfy.
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Nose of black and blue fruits, some pastille notes, lavender.
Palate - elegant and powerful, well evolved. Vivid macerated blackberry and fresh blueberry. Some subtle cassis. Just a touch of leather and other very subtle earthy / bottle age notes, but overall very modern, classic, and clean. The theme here is clean, fruit forward profile. Bottle was purchased new at the winery in '06 and stored in my cellar ever since. Drank with lamb shanks & gremolata. Perfect accompaniment. Bottle faded significantly after a few hours and the next day was underwhelming. Drink now.
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Deep dark reddish-purple in color. Fragrant, attractive and complex nose of ripe dark fruits of cherries, blackberries & plums with earthy/dusty overtones, olives, herbs, tobacco, spices, tea, cocoa, mocha, mint and a hint of vanilla in the background. Full bodies with a very good concentration of developed, plush & polished ripe dark fruit flavors of sweet cherries, boysenberries & plums with herbs & spices, earthy, minerals, licorice with a touch of vanilla. Long lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present but has the potential for further but limited development.
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this wine is fading - In it's peak, it probably would have gotten another 2-3 points. I could still taste the fruit but the nose was a bit more subtle than other Duckhorn Merlots. In my opinion, the Duckhorn Merlot is their best wine - as long as it stays within the price point, it's a CA merlot that is worth the time and money - while most, in my opinion, are not.
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Note a very pronounced nose but nice fruit that seemed to be receding a little into the background with some flavors of earth coming to the fore. Strong tannic back bone. I would drink up during next 12 months.
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MAN IN THE BOAT OVERBOARD!!! Wow served next to Shafer Merlot 2004 along side with steaks. Stride for stride it was a photo finish...we lost photos and therefore we will call it a tie. Drink up..I doubt it can get any better
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Drank with steaks and it was drinking very nice. Opened about 30 minutes before serving and the fruit and nose was very nice. It was still warming a little as it was brought straight from the cellar but I was pleasantly surprised by the fruity, smooth, velvety flavors. Only one bottle left and wish I had more. If it's not at it's peak it has to be close.
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Very well balanced wine, not much nose, very mellow and smooth with good fruit. Must admit I was a bit underwhelmed but you have to love the Duck on the cork!!
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Duckhorn Merlot is... well, THE standard for California Merlots. This one is no exception. Soft, though bigger than French merlot, with berries on the tongue, but not super fruity.
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This is the quintessential wine for anyone who likes CA style Merlots. It's bigger than big but in some aspects it's rather one-dimensional: fruit-n-oak. On the nose it has dried cherries and a hint of sea-salt or those fresh strawberries you get some the sea side stand around the Half Moon Bay through Santa Cruz area. The alcohol does come through a bit hot but nothing the fruit can't handle. The mouth it's super lush, the creme de cassis is so thick you'd think it came from a spoon and not a glass. Oaky butter comes right behind followed by a hint of ripe bananas. Finishes nice and long.
This is a very nice wine but living in the Bay Area I have access to dozens of wines like it at half the prize. There are some Duckhorn specific nuances that I didn't mention but unless you compare this wine with similar Merlots those nuances aren't worth mentioning. Nice wine if you can afford it otherwise pickup a Pomerol for half the price.
Remember you don't drink the label.
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Merlots on a Saturday Afternoon: The problem with tasting blind is that you might like a wine that wish you wouldn't. This was one of those guilty pleasures. Lots of fruit, mostly dark cherries and black raspberries. Lush, velvety texture. Not complex but interesting and lush to drink. I would have been surprised if this was not from Napa. A fruit lover's wine and while I wouldn't want to drink it all the time, it was very tasty this afternoon.
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A Merlot tasting for the back room group, humm, I liked this, but as is typical for the varietal, good merlot is like kissing your wife goodnight, this wine delivered
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I'm not a merlot fan but thinone is very good. Full body lushious and juicy. Lots of dark fruit and oak nuances. Silky, some spice. Overall a very good merlot.
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Purchased a 1/2 bottle with dinner at Ola Restaurant, Turtle Bay Resort, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. This was the night we "renewed" our wedding vows. Dark inky purple in the glass. Very tight right out of the bottle. Somewhat monolithic, lacking typical Napa fruit. Very young, raw, slightly green tannins. Opened up after an hour in the glass, but this was just a simple case of infanticide. I would like to revisit this wine again in a few years, or taste it after a proper decant. (B-).
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Decanted and consumed immediately (cellar temp). mercurial nose. Grassy, herb notes came and went but as it warmed it had a pepper and earth and dark fruit aromas. The palate was a very lush merlot with satiny smooth mouth filling roundness. Juicy black cherry fruit predominated but there were cocoa and mint mulling around. long smooth finish.5+13+18+8
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Opened for Christmas dinner 2008. Turkey, Ham and all the fixins.
This was decanted for about 4 hours. Upon opening the tannins were fairly dry and gripping. I would have guessed it for one-two years old. After 4 hours it softened and it became very silky. This is almost the perfect wine for thanksgiving or xmas dinner! See bjohnson350's TN for specifics. He nailed it.
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This Duckhorn Merlot 2004 was definitely more velvety and softer than the 05 and 03. Nicely done on this one. Intense yet well balanced. Love the dark fruits and floral on the nose with hints of tobacco. Full bodied with plum, chocolate, mocha, and vanilla on the nose. Nice and powerful. Solid deep purple in color. The palate is velvety and well rounded right through the mid palate. Strong black fruits. The finish is not too hot and has length with tobacco mocha and just the right oak and earthly feel. Plum, blackberry and spices. Although I am not a huge Duckhorn Cabernet fan for the money, I really like this 04 merlot and it's worth a try.
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Popped and poured from 375, already throwing bottle coating sediment. Deep hue. Interesting nose with cassis, plum, burnt sugar, coconut, and herbs (plus a touch of brett....). Definitely a little bit of funk. Nose reminds me of an aged Merlot......maybe the 1992 Matanzas Creek I opened last year? Very concentrated, this Merlot has a solid core of black fruits, caramel, with an herbaceous streak that adds some complexity. Chewy tannins. On day two this wine changed little. Hard to tell whether or not this needs some more time in bottle. On one hand it seems tight.......but on the other the aromas are very developed..........either way, I wouldn't gamble with aging this as IMHO all signs indicate at a 1-2 year drinking plateau (let the tannins melt a little). Still, probably the best "regular" Duckhorn Merlot I've tasted since the 2000 vintage.
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Wow, packed with such goodness, such a hedonistic delight - Black, full bodied with notes of deep plum, chocolate, tobacco, mocha, spice and vanilla on the nose, wonderfully structured and poweful, yet balanced very well, velvety smooth on the finish with great length, a real treat! (93 Points).
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Medium bodied, cherry colored. Fresh red fruits, pepper and plum on the nose. Very fruity and sweet, with good acidity to keep it from being cloying. Plum and fig aftertaste.
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This is a great Cal merlot. The nose bursts with flavor of vanilla, berries and fresh fruit and unlike most Merlots -- the taste is as good a match as the nose with a thick viscosity on the palate and a great taste throughout the palate. This is not a ****ing merlot -- this is a great wine.
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Drank from a 375 at a restaurant. Could have used a 1/2 hour decant but had some nice tannins and some dark fruit on the nose. Matched well with the grilled NY Strip.
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Sour cherries, clove and blueberries on the nose. Nice deep ruby color. Very little heat and the start is soft and smooth. Lots of fruit and plum in the start with a hint of french oak. a nice transition through the mid palate and finish with just a little bitter on the finish. Stays long on the palete. Overall a very nice and velvety merlot and good for the price.
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Opaque black purple in color with strong aromas of ripe plumbs and dates. This is a monster of a wine boasting a full, inky body with a solid tannic structure that you have to chew on. Heavily concentrated with densely rich flavors of ripe cherry and plumb fruit, cassis, chocolate, licorice, dates, and a little fig. The finish lasts forever as the velvety tannins balance the decadent fruit. Bold and complex with good aging potential although I like it how it is.
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Cost $54. Opaque, dark colour. Beautiful nose (truly delightful), with lots of fruit. Balanced flavour between fruit and dryness. Could be mistaken for a Cab. Strong tannins. High excellent (88.5).
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Drank with Filet Mignon. This wine was a perfect pair. Black licorice nose. A thick chewy mouthfeel with chocolate, blueberry and that licorice again. For a Merlot, there was enough flavor in this that it was great against the food and didn't get overwhelmed. Great wine.
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Opened up nicely after about an hour. Notes of lively, dark berry, mocha and cedar on the nose. Palate is extremely balanced. Excellent acidity, and soft tannins.
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I just love this wine as drinking great now. The 2004 seems to have exceptual balance between fruit and oak, intense compared to its peers. Tannins are soft and nice richness and finish. The only frustration is that restaurants are exploiting Duckhorn's reputation as they have turned this into a 4x markup wine, i.e we are paying $120/bottle when should be paying $90/bottle. High recommend and great QPR.
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Dark Black Cherry and smoky oak with some red fruits and vanilla at the end, Seems older than a 04 - Nice wine - served with Veal and apple smoked bacon.
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Had higher expectation than what this wine delivered. This may have been a substandard bottle, but I have found other merlots that have produced where this one fell short. Will still try other offerings from Duckhorn but not for a while.
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Drank from a 375ml. Bar service so no decanting which was unfortunate because I really think it would have helped out. Took a few minutes of vigorous swirling for the nose to come out but once it did it was in full force with plums, black cherries, black pepper, and tea. Great mouthfeel that was more bordeaux like than CA, nice finish too. My first Duckhorn, can't wait to try more. Bumped my score from an 88-89 because I think would be a 90+ point wine after an hour or two decant.
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Soft rich nose of dark fruit, cedar and herbs. Smooth entry with nice fruity mid-palate. Good acidity, though not much complexity here. Hidden tannins make their presence known on the finish. Drink now through 2010.
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1/1/2024 - awkiii Likes this wine: 93 Points
corked disintegrated; thought it was going to be a disaster. saw last posted said it was getting to end of lilfe.
after decanting for 1 -2 hour the wine was excellent. everyone liked it
3.0L gave it more life
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9/4/2021 - PDavisMarble wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with the prior bottles. Certainly aged, and heading down hill, but an elegant and lovely wine
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1/9/2021 - PDavisMarble wrote: 82 Points
Unlike past bottles (including a few months ago) this bottle was stewed and well over the hill, showing no charm or complexity.
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11/8/2020 - PDavisMarble wrote: 90 Points
Dark ruby with only the faintest hint of brown. Decanted, a bit of sediment. Nose of leather, raspberries, a hint of baking spice and cedar. Elegant attack -- leather and wet stones, with a bit of leather and tobacco. Some red fruits -- a bit of plum, raspberry and cherry. This has aged beautifully.
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10/26/2018 - bergkamp10 wrote: 88 Points
Deep red, with good color in the glass. Stewed plums on the nose with the earthy sour note often noted with aged merlot. On the palate this showed it’s age. The hints of dark fruit and chocolate were overwhelmed by heat, and oak.
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6/21/2018 - Ha-wine wrote:
Half bottle.
Color still has a touch of ruby, with the expected rust as well.
Lots of old age funk in the nose upon opening, and it remains after five minutes.
Surprisingly soft and round on the palate, and while the fruit doesn’t hit first, or second, there isn’t any sense of scratchiness or tannins over fruit, just the funk of a bottle that should have been enjoyed sooner if you prefer the fruit forward. That being said, it’s definitely not a stand-alone quaffer, but with the right food pairing this could still satisfy.
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11/22/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 90 Points
Smooth and elegant; color browning. Not going to get any better than it is now.
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1/6/2017 - woodsylord Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose of black and blue fruits, some pastille notes, lavender.
Palate - elegant and powerful, well evolved. Vivid macerated blackberry and fresh blueberry. Some subtle cassis. Just a touch of leather and other very subtle earthy / bottle age notes, but overall very modern, classic, and clean. The theme here is clean, fruit forward profile. Bottle was purchased new at the winery in '06 and stored in my cellar ever since. Drank with lamb shanks & gremolata. Perfect accompaniment. Bottle faded significantly after a few hours and the next day was underwhelming. Drink now.
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6/23/2015 - Roggen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Waaauv... What an experience. Full of cherries, dark plum hint og leather and tobacco....drink up!
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1/17/2014 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep dark reddish-purple in color. Fragrant, attractive and complex nose of ripe dark fruits of cherries, blackberries & plums with earthy/dusty overtones, olives, herbs, tobacco, spices, tea, cocoa, mocha, mint and a hint of vanilla in the background. Full bodies with a very good concentration of developed, plush & polished ripe dark fruit flavors of sweet cherries, boysenberries & plums with herbs & spices, earthy, minerals, licorice with a touch of vanilla. Long lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present but has the potential for further but limited development.
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1/1/2013 - Whinojb Likes this wine: 89 Points
this wine is fading - In it's peak, it probably would have gotten another 2-3 points. I could still taste the fruit but the nose was a bit more subtle than other Duckhorn Merlots. In my opinion, the Duckhorn Merlot is their best wine - as long as it stays within the price point, it's a CA merlot that is worth the time and money - while most, in my opinion, are not.
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1/22/2012 - rmgambrel wrote: 92 Points
Good fruit, nice nose with fruit, cedar and tobacco. well done but on the downhill side of the peak. If you have any more drink it.
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1/16/2012 - bluedog wrote: 91 Points
Nose of ripe blackberry. very good but fading fruit. Medium finish. Still some tannins rolling along. Drinking very well. Yummy.
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8/8/2011 - Brsed wrote: 91 Points
Note a very pronounced nose but nice fruit that seemed to be receding a little into the background with some flavors of earth coming to the fore. Strong tannic back bone. I would drink up during next 12 months.
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4/7/2011 - redman77 wrote: 93 Points
MAN IN THE BOAT OVERBOARD!!! Wow served next to Shafer Merlot 2004 along side with steaks. Stride for stride it was a photo finish...we lost photos and therefore we will call it a tie. Drink up..I doubt it can get any better
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4/2/2011 - rmgambrel wrote: 92 Points
Drank with steaks and it was drinking very nice. Opened about 30 minutes before serving and the fruit and nose was very nice. It was still warming a little as it was brought straight from the cellar but I was pleasantly surprised by the fruity, smooth, velvety flavors. Only one bottle left and wish I had more. If it's not at it's peak it has to be close.
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1/17/2011 - danscellar wrote: 89 Points
Very well balanced wine, not much nose, very mellow and smooth with good fruit. Must admit I was a bit underwhelmed but you have to love the Duck on the cork!!
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9/4/2010 - JMeski wrote: 90 Points
Duckhorn Merlot is... well, THE standard for California Merlots. This one is no exception. Soft, though bigger than French merlot, with berries on the tongue, but not super fruity.
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9/4/2010 - Niagara wrote: 92 Points
Reference wine for Cali Merlot. Really well done, middle of the road, decent price point. Can't screw up by buying this one.
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5/13/2010 - kietkopelli wrote: 90 Points
This is the quintessential wine for anyone who likes CA style Merlots. It's bigger than big but in some aspects it's rather one-dimensional: fruit-n-oak. On the nose it has dried cherries and a hint of sea-salt or those fresh strawberries you get some the sea side stand around the Half Moon Bay through Santa Cruz area. The alcohol does come through a bit hot but nothing the fruit can't handle. The mouth it's super lush, the creme de cassis is so thick you'd think it came from a spoon and not a glass. Oaky butter comes right behind followed by a hint of ripe bananas. Finishes nice and long.
This is a very nice wine but living in the Bay Area I have access to dozens of wines like it at half the prize. There are some Duckhorn specific nuances that I didn't mention but unless you compare this wine with similar Merlots those nuances aren't worth mentioning. Nice wine if you can afford it otherwise pickup a Pomerol for half the price.
Remember you don't drink the label.
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5/6/2010 - bowmanbc wrote: 89 Points
liked this a lot. not much new to add considering all the other reviews.
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1/31/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Merlots on a Saturday Afternoon: The problem with tasting blind is that you might like a wine that wish you wouldn't. This was one of those guilty pleasures. Lots of fruit, mostly dark cherries and black raspberries. Lush, velvety texture. Not complex but interesting and lush to drink. I would have been surprised if this was not from Napa. A fruit lover's wine and while I wouldn't want to drink it all the time, it was very tasty this afternoon.
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1/30/2010 - shadow wrote: 90 Points
A Merlot tasting for the back room group, humm, I liked this, but as is typical for the varietal, good merlot is like kissing your wife goodnight, this wine delivered
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1/25/2010 - mszig wrote:
Take to the desert for Patty & Dan Jan 2010
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12/27/2009 - Aovalle wrote: 88 Points
I'm not a merlot fan but thinone is very good. Full body lushious and juicy. Lots of dark fruit and oak nuances. Silky, some spice. Overall a very good merlot.
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9/22/2009 - Combee1 wrote: 87 Points
Purchased a 1/2 bottle with dinner at Ola Restaurant, Turtle Bay Resort, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. This was the night we "renewed" our wedding vows. Dark inky purple in the glass. Very tight right out of the bottle. Somewhat monolithic, lacking typical Napa fruit. Very young, raw, slightly green tannins. Opened up after an hour in the glass, but this was just a simple case of infanticide. I would like to revisit this wine again in a few years, or taste it after a proper decant. (B-).
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9/11/2009 - VoteferPedro wrote: 94 Points
Decanted and consumed immediately (cellar temp).
mercurial nose. Grassy, herb notes came and went but as it warmed it had a pepper and earth and dark fruit aromas. The palate was a very lush merlot with satiny smooth mouth filling roundness. Juicy black cherry fruit predominated but there were cocoa and mint mulling around. long smooth finish.5+13+18+8
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5/26/2009 - CTmark wrote: 92 Points
Really wonderful nose.
Silky smooth, like velvet in a glass.
Very soft. Medium finish.
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3/18/2009 - emf wrote:
Had this on day 2,it was still plush and velvety with lots of dark fruit and mild tannins. Nice finish!
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12/25/2008 - cobystilp wrote: 91 Points
Mmmmm! D-lish!!!
Opened for Christmas dinner 2008. Turkey, Ham and all the fixins.
This was decanted for about 4 hours. Upon opening the tannins were fairly dry and gripping. I would have guessed it for one-two years old. After 4 hours it softened and it became very silky. This is almost the perfect wine for thanksgiving or xmas dinner! See bjohnson350's TN for specifics. He nailed it.
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12/2/2008 - bjohnson350 wrote: 90 Points
This Duckhorn Merlot 2004 was definitely more velvety and softer than the 05 and 03. Nicely done on this one. Intense yet well balanced. Love the dark fruits and floral on the nose with hints of tobacco. Full bodied with plum, chocolate, mocha, and vanilla on the nose. Nice and powerful. Solid deep purple in color. The palate is velvety and well rounded right through the mid palate. Strong black fruits. The finish is not too hot and has length with tobacco mocha and just the right oak and earthly feel. Plum, blackberry and spices. Although I am not a huge Duckhorn Cabernet fan for the money, I really like this 04 merlot and it's worth a try.
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11/29/2008 - Phin wrote: 93 Points
Smoky black fruit. Medium body.
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9/5/2008 - *Vine* wrote: 87 Points
Popped and poured from 375, already throwing bottle coating sediment. Deep hue. Interesting nose with cassis, plum, burnt sugar, coconut, and herbs (plus a touch of brett....). Definitely a little bit of funk. Nose reminds me of an aged Merlot......maybe the 1992 Matanzas Creek I opened last year? Very concentrated, this Merlot has a solid core of black fruits, caramel, with an herbaceous streak that adds some complexity. Chewy tannins. On day two this wine changed little. Hard to tell whether or not this needs some more time in bottle. On one hand it seems tight.......but on the other the aromas are very developed..........either way, I wouldn't gamble with aging this as IMHO all signs indicate at a 1-2 year drinking plateau (let the tannins melt a little). Still, probably the best "regular" Duckhorn Merlot I've tasted since the 2000 vintage.
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8/16/2008 - Tarrant wrote: 93 Points
Wow, packed with such goodness, such a hedonistic delight - Black, full bodied with notes of deep plum, chocolate, tobacco, mocha, spice and vanilla on the nose, wonderfully structured and poweful, yet balanced very well, velvety smooth on the finish with great length, a real treat! (93 Points).
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3/23/2008 - PDavisMarble wrote: 92 Points
Excellent young merlot. Fruit and good structure. Very friendly to food. WOuld match well with numerous meats.
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3/1/2008 - JoseLuis wrote: 91 Points
Medium bodied, cherry colored. Fresh red fruits, pepper and plum on the nose. Very fruity and sweet, with good acidity to keep it from being cloying. Plum and fig aftertaste.
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2/10/2008 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 90 Points
This is a great Cal merlot. The nose bursts with flavor of vanilla, berries and fresh fruit and unlike most Merlots -- the taste is as good a match as the nose with a thick viscosity on the palate and a great taste throughout the palate. This is not a ****ing merlot -- this is a great wine.
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1/27/2008 - Arch57 wrote: 88 Points
Drank from a 375 at a restaurant. Could have used a 1/2 hour decant but had some nice tannins and some dark fruit on the nose. Matched well with the grilled NY Strip.
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1/12/2008 - MyCrush wrote:
Dark ruby color, nice cherry and spice
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12/27/2007 - 2wangs wrote: 88 Points
Nice dark wine for a merlot. Nose of mocha and dark fruit, though not very strong. Alot of tannin. (pop and pour).
2nd day, a nicer fruit nose, with a smoother palate. Not much of a finish. Not as nice as the previous bottle I had.
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12/13/2007 - bjohnson350 wrote: 89 Points
Sour cherries, clove and blueberries on the nose. Nice deep ruby color. Very little heat and the start is soft and smooth. Lots of fruit and plum in the start with a hint of french oak. a nice transition through the mid palate and finish with just a little bitter on the finish. Stays long on the palete. Overall a very nice and velvety merlot and good for the price.
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12/4/2007 - GreatLibations wrote: 91 Points
Opaque black purple in color with strong aromas of ripe plumbs and dates. This is a monster of a wine boasting a full, inky body with a solid tannic structure that you have to chew on. Heavily concentrated with densely rich flavors of ripe cherry and plumb fruit, cassis, chocolate, licorice, dates, and a little fig. The finish lasts forever as the velvety tannins balance the decadent fruit. Bold and complex with good aging potential although I like it how it is.
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11/23/2007 - PDD wrote: 90 Points
Faaaantastic. I've never had a better Merlot.
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10/16/2007 - Ombibulous wrote: 89 Points
Cost $54. Opaque, dark colour. Beautiful nose (truly delightful), with lots of fruit. Balanced flavour between fruit and dryness. Could be mistaken for a Cab. Strong tannins. High excellent (88.5).
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10/1/2007 - 2wangs wrote: 93 Points
Drank with Filet Mignon. This wine was a perfect pair. Black licorice nose. A thick chewy mouthfeel with chocolate, blueberry and that licorice again. For a Merlot, there was enough flavor in this that it was great against the food and didn't get overwhelmed. Great wine.
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9/17/2007 - thevandelindes wrote: 85 Points
A standard for Merlot. Lots of ecalyptus on the nose, but still a solid performer. Just a baby, it could have used more time in the bottle.
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6/24/2007 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
Opened up nicely after about an hour.
Notes of lively, dark berry, mocha and cedar on the nose.
Palate is extremely balanced. Excellent acidity, and soft tannins.
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4/22/2007 - Carl Thoma wrote: 90 Points
I just love this wine as drinking great now. The 2004 seems to have exceptual balance between fruit and oak, intense compared to its peers. Tannins are soft and nice richness and finish. The only frustration is that restaurants are exploiting Duckhorn's reputation as they have turned this into a 4x markup wine, i.e we are paying $120/bottle when should be paying $90/bottle. High recommend and great QPR.
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4/1/2007 - Forint wrote: 87 Points
Dark Black Cherry and smoky oak with some red fruits and vanilla at the end, Seems older than a 04 - Nice wine - served with Veal and apple smoked bacon.
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3/12/2007 - beezer6 wrote: 92 Points
3rd wine of 4.
Duckhorn does it again.
Awesome merlot.
Huge legs. Beautiful deep garnet color.
Nose of blackberries, with unmistakable scents of moca.
Perfectly balanced finish.
Huge California Merlot.
Stood up to everyones steak very well.
WOTN for most.
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3/9/2007 - boldredmonster wrote: 89 Points
Nice, velvety, soft fruit driven merlot. Nice intergrated oak. Missing something for a Duckhorn. Kind of simple.
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1/1/2007 - Boam Fan wrote: 87 Points
Had higher expectation than what this wine delivered. This may have been a substandard bottle, but I have found other merlots that have produced where this one fell short. Will still try other offerings from Duckhorn but not for a while.
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12/14/2006 - d'Yquembe Mutombo wrote: 90 Points
Drank from a 375ml. Bar service so no decanting which was unfortunate because I really think it would have helped out. Took a few minutes of vigorous swirling for the nose to come out but once it did it was in full force with plums, black cherries, black pepper, and tea. Great mouthfeel that was more bordeaux like than CA, nice finish too. My first Duckhorn, can't wait to try more. Bumped my score from an 88-89 because I think would be a 90+ point wine after an hour or two decant.
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11/27/2006 - Wine Spam wrote: 88 Points
Soft rich nose of dark fruit, cedar and herbs. Smooth entry with nice fruity mid-palate. Good acidity, though not much complexity here. Hidden tannins make their presence known on the finish. Drink now through 2010.
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10/18/2006 - GolferChris wrote: 90 Points
Napa Valley Vintner's Big Nightlife Napa Valley Magnum Tasting Party (San Francisco, CA): Big, flavorful and intense Merlot. Aromas of plum, blackberry, black cherry, spice and vanilla. Well structured with integrated tannins which balance the fruit nicely, creating a lush mouthfeel. Lingering finish. Well made Merlot.
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