Deep dark garnet in color with some clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of cigar box notes of tobacco & cedar, earthy/dusty notes, anise, pepper, spices, herbs, leather, tea, minerals & a hint of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, olives, minerals & a hint of oak/vanilla. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well with decanting & airing but at 36 years of age, it is at its peak of development so although it may hold at its current plateau, I doubt any further development would occur with additional aging, so drink up! Fill at lower range of neck well above shoulder; cork stained partial (1/4) but otherwise intact.
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Monumental. This wine has always been in my opinion at the top of its Napa valley peers. It continued to drink well for over 3 hours. Complex that kept going from one fruit bomb to the next. I feel that Three Palms Vineyard is the heart and soul of Napa Valley. Satisfaction overwhelming.
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Q2 2017 Tasting - The Anti-Sideways (aka Merlot) (The Apt): Fruit much more prevalent here than the '83 that we tried right before, but it also had a quicker finish than that one. Was much later in the evening so not quite as many impressions as wines consumed earlier, but overall enjoyable.
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From Magnum, into neck fill. Cork soaked through but Ah-so got it out in tact. Slight bricking in color but solid color to core. More Cab than Merlot in flavor profile with nice layers of black and slightly sour red fruits with some sweet Oak, tobacco and leather notes and still vibrant acidity. A real depth of character here but not the penetrating depth of flavors nor the length of finish I was hoping for.
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Ruby, lighter at rim. What a nose. Bordeaux like with tobacco, cedar. Sweet, ,black cherries, good acidity and focus. Long. Mature but just showing age. Amazing!
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in 2013 I have vowed to drink many of my 1980s. This wine was opened and featured a gorgeous bouquet of rich, very sweet black cherry fruit, like a black chery soda-simply awesome fragrance, more of the same on the palate with hints of incense cedar and well aged merlot, medium finish, at its peak, irresistible.
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Ruby/plum color slightly watery at meniscus. On the nose, whiffs of plum, cherry and thyme. Initially, flavors of cherry, with aeration the flavors deepen, plum, cherry, tobacco. Tannins fully resolved. I was worried this would be OTH but was very surprised to be able to fully enjoy this wine. With food it became a little too delicate. By itself it was wonderful. In Francois Audouze's terms: PAME
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Still showing good - the red fruit on the nose is very nice. Soft tannins integrated well. However, there is unmistakeable green on the mid-palate, which is probably never going away.
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RICH DEEP FRUIT IN THE NOSE, PLUMS, LICORICE, AND MINT. GOBS OF DEEP FRUIT IN THE TASTE (12/89=90).NOW BLACKBERRIES, MINT, AND CHOCOLATE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRY, RASPBERRY, & LICORICE FLAVOR.
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Tasting 9 Duckhorn Merlots (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Tasting of 9 Duckhorn Merlots, very minty, rich, concentrated nose, same in the mouth, beautiful elegant, tasty, lon finish with very soft tannins on the finish. My #1 of 9.
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Tasting of 9 merlots, 8 were Duckhorn at Joe's house. continued to open throughout the evening and 3 tasters out of 9 would have increased their scores based on their comments, young fruit on the nose, big, rich elegant mouthful of merlot, great flavors, long finish and fantastic rich aftertaste. My #3 and Group #1 tie.
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At home at dinner (burgers) with Kathy. Excellent ruby purple color. Nose is awesome, with cocoa, cherries, and a virtual smorgasbord of other smells. In the mouth, it is massive and powerful; mouthfilling. Loads of fruit, but extremely tannic. Needs time, but should be great in time. 5-13-15-8: 91/100.
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With MPL and BLR at the LWB. Medium dark ruby. Gorgeous aroma; very complex. Fruity, concentrated. On the palate, very rich, silky and complex. Medium body and perfect balance. Soft tannins. Should be great with time on its side, but very drinkable even now. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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11/27/2022 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep dark garnet in color with some clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of cigar box notes of tobacco & cedar, earthy/dusty notes, anise, pepper, spices, herbs, leather, tea, minerals & a hint of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, olives, minerals & a hint of oak/vanilla. Long lingering finish. Drinks quite well with decanting & airing but at 36 years of age, it is at its peak of development so although it may hold at its current plateau, I doubt any further development would occur with additional aging, so drink up! Fill at lower range of neck well above shoulder; cork stained partial (1/4) but otherwise intact.
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9/16/2017 - Tally&Floyd wrote:
No no no
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5/30/2017 - wynlvr Likes this wine: 97 Points
Monumental. This wine has always been in my opinion at the top of its Napa valley peers. It continued to drink well for over 3 hours. Complex that kept going from one fruit bomb to the next. I feel that Three Palms Vineyard is the heart and soul of Napa Valley. Satisfaction overwhelming.
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4/15/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Q2 2017 Tasting - The Anti-Sideways (aka Merlot) (The Apt): Fruit much more prevalent here than the '83 that we tried right before, but it also had a quicker finish than that one. Was much later in the evening so not quite as many impressions as wines consumed earlier, but overall enjoyable.
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9/6/2013 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 90 Points
From Magnum, into neck fill. Cork soaked through but Ah-so got it out in tact. Slight bricking in color but solid color to core. More Cab than Merlot in flavor profile with nice layers of black and slightly sour red fruits with some sweet Oak, tobacco and leather notes and still vibrant acidity. A real depth of character here but not the penetrating depth of flavors nor the length of finish I was hoping for.
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3/4/2013 - Nuromri Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ruby, lighter at rim. What a nose. Bordeaux like with tobacco, cedar. Sweet, ,black cherries, good acidity and focus. Long. Mature but just showing age. Amazing!
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1/15/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
in 2013 I have vowed to drink many of my 1980s. This wine was opened and featured a gorgeous bouquet of rich, very sweet black cherry fruit, like a black chery soda-simply awesome fragrance, more of the same on the palate with hints of incense cedar and well aged merlot, medium finish, at its peak, irresistible.
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2/27/2012 - tconrad wrote: 91 Points
Needed two hours+ to open but it was still good in 2012.
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3/21/2010 - mark.zinner wrote: 91 Points
Ruby/plum color slightly watery at meniscus. On the nose, whiffs of plum, cherry and thyme. Initially, flavors of cherry, with aeration the flavors deepen, plum, cherry, tobacco. Tannins fully resolved. I was worried this would be OTH but was very surprised to be able to fully enjoy this wine. With food it became a little too delicate. By itself it was wonderful. In Francois Audouze's terms: PAME
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2/10/2008 - mtennenbaum wrote: 93 Points
Still very good fruit, flavors of bright cherries with a nice oak backround. Holding up very well and drinking beautifully now.
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7/10/2006 - dcny wrote: 89 Points
needed about 30 minutes to open up a bit. mellowed after a bit
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3/12/2006 - DaveF wrote: 85 Points
Still showing good - the red fruit on the nose is very nice. Soft tannins integrated well. However, there is unmistakeable green on the mid-palate, which is probably never going away.
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2/1/1999 - buckeye76 wrote: 91 Points
RICH DEEP FRUIT IN THE NOSE, PLUMS, LICORICE, AND MINT. GOBS OF DEEP FRUIT IN THE TASTE (12/89=90).NOW BLACKBERRIES, MINT, AND CHOCOLATE NOSE WITH BLACK CHERRY, RASPBERRY, & LICORICE FLAVOR.
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12/20/1995 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tasting 9 Duckhorn Merlots (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Tasting of 9 Duckhorn Merlots, very minty, rich, concentrated nose, same in the mouth, beautiful elegant, tasty, lon finish with very soft tannins on the finish. My #1 of 9.
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2/27/1993 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Spottswoode and Duckhorn Library Wine Tasting (Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Costa Mesa, Ca.): Rich, elegant Merlot, long, long finish, lovely, jammy nose, needs 4 years to peak.
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10/12/1991 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasting of 9 merlots, 8 were Duckhorn at Joe's house. continued to open throughout the evening and 3 tasters out of 9 would have increased their scores based on their comments, young fruit on the nose, big, rich elegant mouthful of merlot, great flavors, long finish and fantastic rich aftertaste. My #3 and Group #1 tie.
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5/18/1990 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 91 Points
At home at dinner (burgers) with Kathy. Excellent ruby purple color. Nose is awesome, with cocoa, cherries, and a virtual smorgasbord of other smells. In the mouth, it is massive and powerful; mouthfilling. Loads of fruit, but extremely tannic. Needs time, but should be great in time. 5-13-15-8: 91/100.
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5/24/1989 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 92 Points
With MPL and BLR at the LWB. Medium dark ruby. Gorgeous aroma; very complex. Fruity, concentrated. On the palate, very rich, silky and complex. Medium body and perfect balance. Soft tannins. Should be great with time on its side, but very drinkable even now. 5-12-17-8: 92/100.
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