Winemaker Notes
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Over three decades ago, before crafting their first vintage, the Duckhorns and their winemaker had a passionate discussion at the kitchen table. Though they debated making a cuvée, they chose to focus on varietal wines. Even so, Duckhorn Vineyards has always remained fascinated by the artful blend of varietals from diverse Napa Valley vineyards. Embodying the depth and complexity of a world-class Estate program, The Discussion represents the pinnacle of the Duckhorn Vineyards portfolio and the ongoing dialogue that defines great winemaking.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Duckhorn set out to make a dazzler, and succeeded. A bordeaux blend based mainly on Cabernet Sauvignon, it has too many flavors to list, but blackberries, dark chocolate, orange peel, red licorice, bacon and dusty Indian spices surely top the list, wrapped into soft but super fine tannins. Really a first-rate wine that earns a place in the Napa pantheon. Now-2015, in a good cellar.
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Wine Spectator
Impressive for its density, complexity, refinement and focus, built around a core of ripe, spicy currant, blackberry, black licorice, anise and mineral. Full-bodied and well-proportioned, ending with a long, sleek finish and firm tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2020.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
The inaugural release of Duckhorn's new proprietary label is a study in sturdiness, ripeness and size. Long on essential fruit, yet a little less "fruity" in style, it exhibits a complex mix of toast, cedary spice, espresso, raspberries and well-ripened currants. It is the tightest, most firmly built bottling on the winery's 2006 roster and is finished with a fair bit of grippy young tannins, but its potential for better is beyond dispute, and it warrants at least five years of patience.
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Wine & Spirits
Nancarrow blended this barrel selection from a range of Duckhorn's estate vineyards; it emphasizes cabernet sauvignon (53 percent), with the balance merlot (28), cabernet franc (14) and petit verdot (5). The fruit is soft and plump, the tannins more austere, showing a little heat stress in their dimpled fruit-skin character. This is ready to decant for aged sirloin, seared rare.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.