The full-bodied 2001 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard’s opaque ruby/purple hue is followed by a stunning bouquet of sweet kirsch, plum liqueur, blueberries, spring flowers and roasted coffee. Revealing superb richness, impressive purity and a multidimensional mouthfeel, this stunning Merlot can be enjoyed over the next 10-15+ years. With nine separate offerings, all performing exceptionally well, Duckhorn Vineyards must be thrilled with the evolution of their 2001s. This is a terrific performance for these Duckhorn wines with most of them showing better than they did upon release – always a great sign. Tel. (866) 367-9945; Fax (707) 945-1009

Tannic as usual from this single vineyard near Calistoga, but with a great heart of cherry and blackberry fruit and wonderful suggestions of herbs and nettles. Bone dry, but ripe in sweet fruit, the quintessence of cherry. An obvious cellar candidate that will hold through the decade. ——S.H.(8/1/2004)—— 93