Duckhorn Vineyards 50th Anniversary Napa Valley Merlot

Dry, supple and elegant. This is a medium- to full-bodied Merlot with ripe fruit and a silky texture. The nose shows red currant, raspberry, black plum and baking spice. The palate brings plum, cherry and cocoa powder. French oak adds sweet spice and a hint of milk chocolate. The tannins are fine-grained and polished, and the finish is bright and graceful.

Dan and Margaret Duckhorn made their first Napa Valley Merlot in 1978, and this anniversary bottling marks five decades of the winery that helped establish Merlot as a premium varietal in America. Fruit comes from Duckhorn’s estate vineyards and top sites across Napa Valley’s many appellations. Merlot is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon for depth and structure, along with small amounts of other Bordeaux varieties. It is aged about 15 months in French oak and bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750 mL bottle.

Serve slightly below room temperature with roast pork, lamb or mushrooms.