You Are Here:
2006 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot
Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our Estate Vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley. The final wine is a rich and cohesive expression of the entire Napa Valley, reflecting the varied microclimates and soils of this unique appellation.
Harvest Notes
The 2006 growing season was marked by a very mild summer with a mid-July heat spike that accelerated ripening. Mild temperatures continued throughout the fall allowing for a moderately paced harvest. The long growing season brought complex and intense flavor and aroma development.
Comments from the Winemaker
Our Napa Valley Merlot captures the balanced character of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the entire Napa Valley appellation. The product of a standout Merlot vintage, the Merlot in 2006 offered an excellent expression of the varietal and required very little blending with other grapes—with only small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot used to add subtle complexity. This Merlot offers a rich texture, ripe tannins and seamlessly integrated French oak. The bouquet displays lush layers of ripe plum and bright raspberry underscored by notes of sandalwood, walnut and spice. On the palate, polished flavors of red cherry and raspberry are accented by an enticing layer of graham cracker piecrust.
Varietal Content
96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 9 — October 31, 2006
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25.6 degrees Brix
36 Vineyards Harvested
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 16 Months
Age of Barrels: 30% new, 70% second vintage
Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.67 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80?F
pH: 3.33
Bottled: April 2008
Released: September 2008
Our Napa Valley Merlot is a complex blend of several individual vineyard lots, incorporating fruit from our Estate Vineyards and from top independent growers throughout the Napa Valley. The final wine is a rich and cohesive expression of the entire Napa Valley, reflecting the varied microclimates and soils of this unique appellation.
Harvest Notes
The 2006 growing season was marked by a very mild summer with a mid-July heat spike that accelerated ripening. Mild temperatures continued throughout the fall allowing for a moderately paced harvest. The long growing season brought complex and intense flavor and aroma development.
Comments from the Winemaker
Our Napa Valley Merlot captures the balanced character of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the entire Napa Valley appellation. The product of a standout Merlot vintage, the Merlot in 2006 offered an excellent expression of the varietal and required very little blending with other grapes—with only small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot used to add subtle complexity. This Merlot offers a rich texture, ripe tannins and seamlessly integrated French oak. The bouquet displays lush layers of ripe plum and bright raspberry underscored by notes of sandalwood, walnut and spice. On the palate, polished flavors of red cherry and raspberry are accented by an enticing layer of graham cracker piecrust.
Varietal Content
96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot
Harvest Information
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Dates: September 9 — October 31, 2006
Average Sugar at Harvest: 25.6 degrees Brix
36 Vineyards Harvested
Cooperage
100% French Oak Château-style Barrels (60 Gallons)
Barrel Aging: 16 Months
Age of Barrels: 30% new, 70% second vintage
Technical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
0.67 g/100 ml titratable acidity
8-10 days fermentation at 80?F
pH: 3.33
Bottled: April 2008
Released: September 2008
