Merlot “Three Palms” 2019

Name: Duckhorn - Merlot “Three Palms” - 2019
Brand: Le Goût du Vin
Price: 139.9 EUR
Availability: InStock

Duckhorn

139,90 €

One of the most famous Merlots in Napa Valley

UNITED STATES

Vin Red

14.5%

15 years +

92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

750ml

Red

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Let's talk little, let's talk wine

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly fifty years establishing itself as one of North America's premier Napa Valley wine producers. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Since the inaugural vintage of 1978, here is an emblematic cuvée based on Merlot made from the famous Three Palms vineyard. Named after its 3 palm trees, this warm, upper valley vineyard features lean soils on which vines grow whose roots dive deep in search of nutrients, resulting in a wine that is deeply intense and worthy of aging over time. After manual harvesting and careful sorting of the grape berries, the wine ages for 18 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which are new. This wine reveals complex aromas of black plum , wild blackberries , cocoa , blueberry , strawberry jam , licorice , leather and black spices . On the palate, firm tannins and energetic acidity add brightness and balance to the smooth, textured wine, while promising a long bottle life.

Where are we traveling?

California

While 50 American states produce wine, Californian production alone represents about 85% of the country's production, making this state the 4th largest producer in the world behind Italy, France and Spain. The climate is strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which at this latitude is a cold ocean. The wine regions located near the Pacific have an oceanic climate that becomes Mediterranean the further inland you move from the ocean and it becomes more continental near the Sierra Nevada. Bays and openings to the sea, such as San Pablo Bay, act as thermal regulators on viticulture, particularly in Napa and Sonoma Valley.

The sub-region: Stag's Leap

The Stags Leap district of California's Napa Valley wine region is home to some of the most famous and highly regarded vineyards in the United States. The vineyards here are overwhelmingly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which produces rich red wines with ripe black currant flavors, a certain freshness and elegance. Located just north of the city of Napa, Stags Leap is in a very special location on the eastern side of the valley. It occupies a narrow strip of valley floor, separated from the main valley by a range of low hills running roughly north to south. Climate also plays a key role (situated 15 miles from the northern edge of San Pablo Bay) the area is well positioned to receive cool, moist breezes that blow north into the valley from San Pablo Bay. These bring the famous Napa Valley fog on summer mornings and afternoons, which provides beneficial cooling on hot, dry days.

The little history of the country

UNITED STATES

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.