Duckhorn, founded in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, is located in Napa Valley on the Silvervado Trail at Lodi Lane. It produces about 50,000 cases annually from its 160 acres of Napa Valley vineyards and grapes purchased from other growers. A new Alexander Valley Pinot Noir, Goldeneye, will emerge with the 1997 vintage (release 9/99) from property purchased in Mendocino County. The Anderson Valley vineyards are Confluence, Monument Tree and Abel.

Since their first vintage in 1978, Duckhorn has become synonymous with Merlot under the Napa Valley, Three Palms, Howell Mountain and Estate appellations. They are considered by many to produce the best Merlot in California, with some achieving legendary status. Their 1986 and 1987 Merlots are still fresh and concentrated, in comparison to many fading Napa Valley Cabs.

Other wines produced by Duckhorn are Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, a proprietary red, Paraduxx, and Decoy Migration white and red table wines.

Talented winemaker Tom Rinaldi has been at the helm since the first harvest. Tony Biagi, a Tuscan winemaker with 50 years of experience at Gaja, recently joined Tom. Not! He’s a UC, Davis educated enologist, in spite of which he’s a good man. I’m sure both will be pushed to their winemaking limits with the production of Goldeneye. Neat stainless steel wine thief guys.

Duckhorn’s most recent Napa Valley vineyard acquisition is 36-acre Stout Vineyard (Howell Mountain appellation) that produces Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The 28-acre Candlestick Ridge vineyard produces the same mix and some Zinfandel.

1997 Merlot, Napa Valley, not final blend, 94-98 pts, C5-N4+F4+A3T4E4+?: This represents 80 % of a blend that will include 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cab Franc. Super aromatic nose; full-bodied and concentrated with firm tannic backbone.

1997 Paraduxx, Napa Valley, 88-90 pts, C4N3F3T3+E3+: A tasty blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Zinfandel; very drinkable now; bright red fruit aromas; pleasing flavors and some complexity on a fresh fruit finish. Released 9/1/99.

1997 Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard, 95-99 pts, C4N4?F4+A3T4E4+?: This wine is oozing with potential; although the nose is essentially closed, you can smell the pedigree of this legendary Merlot vineyard that is owned by the Upton Family and shared with Duckhorn and Sterling. This was the final blend of 82% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fifty percent new French oak is used in the Three Palms program. Although the wine had just been racked, its bold and powerful elegance showed through. This is a powerful wine with exquisite delineated structure and balance. The Three Palms terroir titillates the palate. Released Spring 2000.

1997 Merlot, Stout Vineyard, Howell Mountain, not final blend, 92-96 pts, C5+F4E4: This is the blackest Merlot I’ve ever encountered. Black ink pales in comparison. It is the backbone for the Howell Mountain Merlot, making up about 50% of the final blend. Intense!

1997 Merlot, Estate, Napa Valley, 94-98 pts, C5N3?F4+A3T4-E4+: This final blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of wine from Stout, Rector Creek, Selby-Saviez and Kraft-Madrona, a St. Helena vineyard adjacent to Spottswoode. It is a dark, huge wine with big time fruit and loads of aging potential. The finish is astringent, but the wine is just a baby. Although not currently in equilibrium, the components should come together in the next few years to yield a wine with loads of fruit, excellent balance, structure and complexity.