2016 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley (1.5 L) Magnum

Collector alert: The #1 Napa Valley Merlot is here in magnum! 

Since the early 1980s, Duckhorn’s Merlots have ranked among Napa Valley’s most iconic reds, standing shoulder to shoulder with Silver Oak and Opus One. In Napa’s 2016 vintage, which Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated “extraordinary,” Duckhorn produced possibly its most powerful Merlot ever.  

In magnum, Duckhorn’s iconic Napa Merlot is even more impressive—sized to share, this Merlot is a conversation piece that will impress on any table for the next 15 years (Thanksgiving, anyone?). Released at $112, we have it for over $20 off—just $89 for the only centerpiece you’ll need. From a Napa Valley original, this release is not to be missed. 

Some things are classic for a reason, and there’s no better proof than this timeless Merlot, which is astoundingly consistent from year to year. It is a mesmerizing wine, which in a blind tasting at our Napa headquarters, had everyone fooled—its power made it feel almost Cabernet-like, yet its silken texture evoked memories of First Growth Bordeaux. Infused with luscious aromas of crushed black fruits, graphite, and tobacco, laced with new-wood cedar, this will age gracefully for at least another decade. 

It should be no surprise when you consider the now-famous story behind Duckhorn’s classically styled wines. In the mid-’70s, Dan Duckhorn and the brilliant winemaker Ric Forman set themselves a difficult and ambitious goal: to coax Bordeaux-like elegance from the warm, rolling hills of Napa Valley. The duo made their way to France and spent the better part of a year in deep study of the most prestigious estates of Bordeaux’s Right and Left Banks. When they returned to Napa, they began scoping out vineyards they believed could offer First Growth potential on the West Coast—and found one in Three Palms. Winemaker Tom Rinaldi was hired and stuck around for 20 years, lifting Duckhorn into the pantheon of Napa wineries. 

Today, Renee Ary is following suit, and every blue-chip steakhouse in America stands in line for its annual allocation of Duckhorn's fabulous Merlots—which in phenomenal Napa vintages (like this one) take on a far more Cabernet-like complexion, marrying sleek lines and tremendous concentration, driving Napa red lovers absolutely crazy. Out of 750ml bottles, they show excellent ageability. Out of the limited-release magnums, the wines promise incredible richness and extraordinary depth over a decade or more.

Wonderfully rich and opulent, buttressed by benchmark Right Bank structure and showing vibrant aromas of ripe plum, raspberry and black cherry, Duckhorn is every steak lover’s dream wine. Restaurant allocations and collectors are already snapping up this collector’s item at the winery. This is your shot to take home one of the starring Merlots of a historic vintage.