Wine of the Year for 2017!

This year’s wine of the year from Wine Spectator is Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard!  Congratulations to the fine winery and winemaker!

Each year Wine Spectator chooses the top 100 wines from the thousands of wines they taste.  This year alone, the writers of the magazine and staff tasted through over 5000 wines as they endeavored to provide reviews and synopses of the wines for their monthly publication.

The magazine has three overarching criteria in the process for wines selected to the list.  One is production size.  The wine should be available and in sufficient quantities to provide availability to consumers.  The second is price point.  The wines are well priced and provide value for the consumer.  These two are very reasonable approaches.  The third factor is their “WOW” factor.  How does the wine impress — does it provide a memorable experience and impact for the drinker.  This third criterion surely allows for great interpretation, yet great wine really does impress and create an impact.  Most of you will remember that wine that really wowed you.  And so it is that Wine Spectator annually provides their list of the top wines from the year.

Before you say, “Merlot?,” let me say that this expression of the varietal is particularly noteworthy.  I was first introduced to the wine in the early 2000s. At that point in time, Merlot was not one of my preferences, yet this wine was a stunner.  So much so, I introduced it to many friends who were impressed.

The 2014 Three Palms Merlot is comprised of 86 percent Merlot, 8 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Malbec and 2 percent Petit Verdot. All the fruit for the wine comes from the 73-acre Three Palms vineyard, 50 acres of which are planted to Merlot.  The Three Palms Vineyard is so named for the three palm trees that stand out and preside over the vineyard. Renee Ary is the winemaker of this fine wine.  It is her first vintage as the head winemaker, and she should be very proud of the accomplishment.

By now, the entire Top 100 wines have been revealed and are available for you to peruse. Visit Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines to check it out.

Enjoy!