In terms of overall weather, most of the 2020 growing season was excellent. Following a relatively dry winter, budbreak started early, and the temperatures throughout spring and summer were mild and temperate. This allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, developing pure, vibrant flavors and supple, fleshy textures. In late September, harvest was impacted by the outbreak of wildfires and the arrival of hot weather. The elevated temperatures gave many vineyards a final push to ripeness as we worked to bring in the grapes. During this period, we did extensive testing to ensure quality, excluding any fruit that did not meet our standards. While our meticulous selection process resulted in a smaller 2020 crop, the wines we produced live up to the Duckhorn name, displaying beautiful aromas, soft elegant textures, lively complexity and lush flavors.

With tantalizing aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry and crushed rose petals, this alluring wine embodies the cool-climate essence of great Carneros Merlot. The vibrant red berry layers are echoed on the energetic palate, where they are framed by dusty, fine-grained tannins, with sophisticated hints of the sage, sweet tea and baking spices emerging throughout a long, resonant finish.