The 2006 Merlot Three Palms Vineyard is disappointing given the great wines that used to emanate from this vineyard. Hints of truffles, mocha, berry fruit, and herbs are present in the aromas and on the attack, but the wine is clearly under-fruited, and lacks texture, depth, and length. I have higher hopes for Duckhorn's 2007s than the bevy of 2006s I tasted. While they are good, most had issues with hard, aggressive tannins as well as high acid levels that give the wines clipped personalities. In short, if a wine tastes too tannic, it is too tannic, and that may be the problem with Duckhorn's 2006s. Readers should note that any wine that received a score with a question mark will undoubtedly dry out and become hollow before it ever blossoms. Tel. (888) 354-8885; Fax (707) 963-7595

An extraordinarily rich, tannic and dry wine, which despite its big structure is relieved by potent flavors of cherries, blackberries, plums and cedar, with savory touches of anise, sage and black pepper. It’s a complex, well-crafted wine that should develop in the bottle at least through 2014. ——S.H.(6/1/2010)—— 93