2018 Napa Valley Merlot, Duckhorn Vineyards

Established back in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards was co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn. It became one of the first 40 estates to be established in Napa Valley, indeed, becoming the first estate in this now famed corner of the wine world to release a 'luxury' single varietal merlot. Fast forward forty years, and the estate has gone from strength to strength.

Their Napa Merlot is one of the region's most highly regarded pure merlot releases, here hailing from the 2018 vintage. It is dark fruited, rich and though a joy to drink now, will really blossom over the next 2-3 years.