2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot

Wine Spectator 94 – Notable for the structure and polish, this red offers handsome red and black currant flavors framed by black olive, sweet tobacco and spice tones that gather tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030.

James Suckling 95 – I like the savory nose here, with notes of coffee, spiced plum, overturned earth and bark. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Expressive, but focused, with really clean and clear dark fruit blending nicely with ground spice and grilled herbs. Totally delicious. This will age very nicely.

Connoisseurs’ Guide 95 – Yet again finding a familiar place at the head of the Duckhorn class of 2019, this year’s Three Palms Vineyard Merlot is a beautifully crafted wine of tremendous richness and depth. Although an intense and wonderfully expressive effort now whose polished, age-worthy tannins are countered by a wealth of extremely longlasting fruit, it has the all of the pieces in place to evolve famously and, when carefully cellared, is guaranteed to pay big dividends upon reaching its tenth anniversary